Technology ID
TAB-3499
A HeLa Cell Line that Activates the Parkinson Disease-Related PINK1/Parkin Pathways in Mitochondria
E-Numbers
E-013-2019-0
Lead Inventor
Youle, Richard (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
Co-Inventors
Jin, Seok-Min (Aprogen, Inc)
Applications
Therapeutics
Research Materials
Therapeutic Areas
Neurology
Lead IC
NINDS
This invention includes HeLa cells that are engineered to inducibly express a mutant form of ornithine decarboxylase that is targeted to the mitochondrial matrix and forms insoluble protein aggregates. The presence of unfolded proteins in the matrix causes the accumulation of the mitochondrial kinase PINK1 and the E3 ubiquitin ligase PARK2/Parkin. These proteins play a critical role in degrading the mitochondria where they are expressed, a process call mitophagy. Mutations in these two genes are associated with familial Parkinson disease.
Commercial Applications
This cell line provides a unique and physiologically-relevant method to assess compounds that increase PINK1 activity.
Competitive Advantages
Prior models of PINK1/Parkin activation relied on mitochondrial depolarizing agents. This model may be more physiological and subtle, allowing a more valid way to assess compounds that increase PINK1 activity.
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