Prescient identifies novel genes implicated in brain cell rescue for
Parkinson's
TORONTO, June 21 /PRNewswire/ - Prescient NeuroPharma Inc. (CDNX:
PRE) has identified novel genes that may rescue brain cells that die
in Parkinson's disease.
President and CEO of Prescient, Anthony Giovinazzo, announced
that the Company has completed a genomics project to identify
neurotrophic factor genes, in collaboration with Southern Research
Institute of Birmingham, Alabama. A neurotrophic factor produced by a
rat brain cell identified as PRE04 rescued dopaminergic neurons from
death in an animal model of Parkinson's Disease.
"We are very pleased with the analysis of PRE04. The project
identified four known and six unknown genes from a total of 1,200
possible differentially expressed clones," said John Commissiong,
Ph.D., Prescient's Chief Scientific Officer -- Discovery Biology.
"PRE04 is particularly interesting, because in a model of Parkinson's
Disease it demonstrated that certain proteins produced by that cell
specifically rescued dopaminergic neurons from dying."
Parkinson's Disease is associated with the death of dopaminergic
brain cells, and while dead cells cannot be brought back to life,
surviving cells can be treated with drugs to cause them to live
longer. This protection would result in the slowing of the
progression of the disease. By identifying natural proteins that
rescue specific brain cells from dying, Prescient expects to find
treatments that dramatically improve the patient's quality of life.
About Prescient
Prescient NeuroPharma Inc. is a Canadian biotechnology and drug
discovery company focused on the rescue and protection of brain
cells. Prescient has two lead neuroprotection research programs. One
program relates to the discovery of naturally occurring neurotrophic
proteins, which sustain the life of brain cells, aimed at slowing
disease progression. The other program involves a proprietary
metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) library of small molecules
that act on specific mGluRs in the brain, thereby modulating
glutamate signals that lead to functional imbalance and/or nerve cell
death.
The CDNX has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the
adequacy or accuracy of this press release.
SOURCE Prescient NeuroPharma Inc.
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for the accuracy of the content.
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