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Targeting Kv2.1 channels as a neuroprotective strategy

Detailed Technology Description

None

*Abstract

The innovator is proposing a novel neuroprotective strategy for cerebral ischemia and other neurodegenerative disorders. As effective neuroprotective strategies to treat human neurological conditions continue to be highly elusive, innovative studies, such as targeting neuronal apoptotic K currents, are not only of potentially high significance, but also urgently needed. The loss of intracellular K via a surge of Kv2.1-mediated K currents may constitute a ubiquitous requirement for apoptotic cell death of neurons. The innovator observed that channels lacking a SNARE binding domain do not support an apoptotic current surge and, more importantly, that overexpression of the SNARE-binding intracellular channel domain alone is neuroprotective in vitro. The innovator determined that a critical amino acid sequence of the C terminal of Kv2.1 can achieve Kv2.1/syntaxin displacement and is neuroprotective in vitro. The innovator is designing peptides that will interact with the SNARE protein syntaxin thereby preventing insertion of the Kv2.1 channel into a neuron cell membrane, preventing an apoptotic current surge and enabling neuronal cells to survive. Non-provisional Patent Application Filed PublicationsSynatxin-binding domain of Kv2.1 is essential for the expression of apoptotic K currents The Journal of Physiology, 592. 16 (2014) pp3511-3521

*Principal Investigator

Name: Elias Aizenman, Faculty

Department: Med-Neurobiology

Country/Region

USA