Boosting the cell cleanup system to protect against aging and Alzheimer's
Priming the proteasome to protect against aging and Alzheimer's disease
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA · NIH-11297483
Researchers will see whether changing a tiny chemical switch on the cell's protein-cleaning machinery helps prevent aging-related damage and Alzheimer's changes in the brain and heart.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (VERMILLION, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11297483 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This work uses specially engineered mice to change phosphorylation at a single site (Ser14) on the proteasome regulatory protein Rpn6 and observes how that change affects aging and Alzheimer’s-like pathology. Scientists will study mice that mimic phosphorylation and mice that block phosphorylation, and will cross those with an established Alzheimer’s mouse model to compare outcomes. They will follow brain and heart tissues over time for protein clumping, molecular markers of proteasome function, and signs of disease. The goal is to learn whether altering this proteasome switch can reduce the protein buildup linked to Alzheimer’s and related aging problems.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with early-stage Alzheimer's, those at high genetic risk for Alzheimer's, or older adults interested in prevention would be the eventual intended beneficiaries of therapies developed from this work.
Not a fit: Patients with other types of dementia or those in very advanced stages of Alzheimer’s are less likely to directly benefit from this preclinical, mouse-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new drug targets that protect brain and heart cells from harmful protein buildup and slow or prevent Alzheimer's progression.
How similar studies have performed: Prior lab studies have linked proteasome regulation to clearing misfolded proteins and aging, but using Ser14-Rpn6 phosphorylation knock-in models crossed with AD mice is a novel, preclinical approach.
Where this research is happening
VERMILLION, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA — VERMILLION, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: WANG, XUEJUN — UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA
- Study coordinator: WANG, XUEJUN
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.