USP30 is a mitochondrial-associated DUB that has emerged as a promising new target in Parkinson’s disease. It has been implicated in the control of mitophagy, a cellular mitochondrial quality control mechanism. This process regulates the selective clearance of poorly functioning mitochondria by modifying levels of a protein called ubiquitin.
Failure of mitochondrial quality control results in the accumulation of dysfunctional energy-producing mitochondria, which causes oxidative stress. This stress eventually leads to a pathological mechanism that can result in Parkinson’s disease, and involves the degeneration of the highly-active substantia nigra neurons in the brain. Mission Therapeutics is developing potent and selective inhibitors against USP30 which can help improve mitochondrial quality control, with the aim of halting or slowing down the development of Parkinson’s.
Dr Anker Lundemose, Chief Executive Officer of Mission Therapeutics, said:
“DUBs are playing an emerging role as targets across a number of serious diseases, as highlighted in our team’s recently-published Nature Reviews Drug Discovery paper. The data from the studies presented at this conference further enhances our understanding of the cellular mechanisms of USP30 and the significance of inhibiting this particular DUB in Parkinson’s disease. Our research is also providing invaluable information that is helping to shape our preclinical development strategy.”
Details of Poster Presentations:
Poster# 759.03/Title: USP30 inhibitors for Parkinson’s Disease
Poster# 759.04/Title: Targeting USP30 in Parkinson’s iPSC-derived dopamine neurons
Session Title: The Pathogenesis Mechanisms of Mitochondria in Parkinson’s Disease
Session Number: 759
Session Time: Wednesday November 15, 2017 1.00 pm – 5:00 pm ET
The meeting will be attended by two scientists from Mission Therapeutics’ CNS team: Dr Paul Thompson, Medical Director, CNS Translational Medicine and Dr Marc Watson. Principal Scientist, CNS.