This technology is a method to upregulate the glycolysis activity of cells and increase their survival in retinal degenerative and neurodegenerative diseases.
There is currently no known cure for retinal degenerative diseases, such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP), or neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, recent studies suggest that these diseases display a common trait: dysregulated metabolism. Targeting or upregulating anabolism while downregulating catabolism could potentially increase cell survival and ameliorate photoreceptor cell death or neurodegeneration.
This technology targets SIRT6, a protein which functions to control glucose metabolism, to promote glycolysis and reduce cell death. Both transgenic and gene therapy-mediated ablation of SIRT6 slowed retinal degeneration in a mouse model of RP. Other small molecule compounds to inhibit SIRT6 are currently being identified for testing in mice. Because reprogramming metabolism by enhancing glycolysis is not gene specific, this strategy may be applicable to a wide range of retinal degenerative or neurodegenerative disorders.
This technology has been validated in SIRT6-deficient transgenic mice.
IR CU16337
Licensing Contact: Ron Katz