Identification of Novel Drugs that Target Proteins Causing Neurological Diseases

Accumulation of pathogenic proteins is a common problem in some neurological diseases. Examples of these proteins include TDP43 in Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, alpha-synuclein in Parkinson’s disease and beta-amyloid protein in Alzheimer’s disease. Clearing these proteins may prove essential in slowing the progression of neurological diseases. We will use cell culture models of neurological diseases to screen a number of novel drugs we have. Cells will be treated with either drugs or control vehicle. Cell lysates will be analyzed by using Western blotting techniques, which include gel electrophoresis to separate proteins based on molecular weight. Once the proteins are separated, they will be transferred to a membrane and visualized by antibodies. Results: The relative amount of proteins in the control vehicle treated samples will be compared to drug treated samples in order to determine if any drugs reduce the pathogenic proteins. Significance: Novel drugs identified by above experiments could open new avenues for the development of more effective drugs that clear pathogenic proteins in the brain to cure or delay the progression of neurological diseases