Targeting Nedd4 to improve protein trafficking in Parkinson’s and some cancers
Chemical Biology of the E3 Ubiqutin Ligase Nedd4
A small molecule that changes how the Nedd4 protein tags other proteins is being explored to help people with Parkinson’s-related protein clumping and certain cancers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11290852 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work focuses on Nedd4, a protein that helps tag other proteins for recycling and is linked to both cancer and Parkinson’s-related protein clumping. Researchers are studying a small molecule called NAB2 that binds tightly to Nedd4 and changes which proteins it tags, using cell-based and biochemical experiments to map those new targets. They will look specifically at trafficking proteins affected by a-synuclein toxicity to see if NAB2-driven Nedd4 activity can restore normal protein transport. Findings will come from lab models and molecular analyses at Duke University and could guide future animal or clinical work.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with Parkinson’s disease characterized by a-synuclein accumulation or patients with cancers linked to Nedd4-related pathways would be the eventual candidates for therapies stemming from this work.
Not a fit: People with conditions unrelated to protein aggregation or with disease forms that do not involve Nedd4 pathways are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new drugs that reduce harmful protein clumps and improve cell function in Parkinson’s disease and certain cancers.
How similar studies have performed: Similar small-molecule approaches, including NAB2 in cell models, have shown promising effects in lab studies but have not yet proven effective in animals or people.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mccafferty, Dewey G — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Mccafferty, Dewey G
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.