Fibroblast Cell Lines Homozygous for Glucocerebrosidase (GBA1) Mutation N370S for the Screening of Small Molecules for Gaucher Disease Treatment

This technology includes two human fibroblast cell lines be used to study the defects in GBA1 gene and protein and to screen small molecules for involvement in Gaucher disease. Glucocerebrosidase (GBA1 or GCase or beta-glucosidase) is a lysosomal enzyme, responsible for breakdown of a fatty material called glucocerebroside (or glucosyl ceramide). Deficiency or malfunction of GBA1 leads to the accumulation of insoluble glucocerebrosides in tissues, which is a major symptom of Gaucher disease. Gaucher disease is a rare and heterogeneous disorder, caused by inherited genetic mutations in GBA1. Inventors have collected fibroblasts from various patients, including those with homozygous mutation N370S. This is the most common mutation found in Gaucher patients and is found in the non-neuronopathic form of the disease.