Mechanism of lentztrehalose-induced autophagy; its application for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K08013
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Natural medicines
• Research Institution: Microbial Chemistry Research Foundation
• Principal Investigator: WADA Shun-ichi 公益財団法人微生物化学研究会, 微生物化学研究所, 研究員 (40450233)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: レンツトレハロース / トレハロース / 神経変性疾患 / アルツハイマー病 / オートファジー

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Dozens of new trehalose-type autophagy inducers were discovered or synthesized. Among them, TRH-X was estimated as mass-producible and suitable as the material to synthesize further derivative compounds. Some of the TRH-X derivatives showed higher autophagy inducing activities than trehalose and other analogues. They would be the promising drug candidates for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases to dissolve the aggregation of abnormal proteins in the neuronal cells.
The curative effect of trehalose in Alzheimer’s disease was evaluated using a model mouse. Trehalose administrated mice in the early stage of the disease showed significantly better recognitive function and reduced amyloid plaque. The development and application of the new trehalose analogue compound for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease are expected.

Free Research Field

天然物利用