Synphilin-1, a Protein which Associates with Alpha-Synuclein and Promotes the Formation of Cytostolic Inclusions

Complementary DNA encoding the neural protein ?synphilin-1? was cloned via the protein?s interaction with synuclein, a previously identified product which has been genetically linked to Parkinson?s Disease. Though synphilin-1 shares little similarity with other proteins in the public database, synphilin comprises several interaction domain motifs. In vivo binding interaction of synphilin with synuclein was demonstrated by immunoprecipitation studies on brain extracts. Coexpression of both proteins in cultured cells results in cytoplasmic inclusions similar to the Lewy bodies characteristic of neurons from patients with Parkinson?s Disease. The gene encoding synphilin-1 has also been cloned. Description (Set) Proposed Use (Set) Assays to screen for chemical compounds that inhibit formation of synphilin-synuclein aggregates or cytoplasmic inclusions bodies may identify agents with therapeutic value in Parkinson�s Disease or Alzheimer�s Disease. Peptides corresponding to the synphilin-synuclein binding region identified by Ross et al may aid in the identity of such compounds. The cloned synphilin polynucleotide may be used to identify synphilin mutations in the human population (e.g. mutations in synphilin�s binding partner, synuclein, have been linked with certain familial forms of PD).

Inventor(s): Engelender, Simone

Type of Offer: Licensing



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