1. 08-0036
“Yeast System for Identification of Neuroprotective
Small Molecules and Genes”
Inventor: Dr. Stevan Marcus
2. • Mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with the
neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease
and Alzheimer’s disease.
• Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common
neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s disease:
– Afflicts millions of individuals worldwide
– As many as 1.5 million in the U.S. alone
• There is currently no cure for PD and treatments for
symptoms are limited.
Current Problems
3. • The rat-rotenone model is not suitable for rapid,
large-scale genetic screens to identify
neuroprotective genes.
– Yeast-rotenone model to conduct genetic and small
molecule screens to identify therapeutic targets and
treatments.
• Rotenone treatment results in increased reactive
oxygen species production in S. pombe.
– Assay identified genes that increase, and decrease,
rotenone sensitivity.
Technology
4. • Deletions of Pmk1 and protein kinase A (PKA)
increased rotenone sensitivity, while deletion of
Spc1 only modestly affected rotenone sensitivity.
– These results are consistent with a role for Pmk1 and
PKA clearing ROS, making them potential targets for
therapeutic intervention.
Advantages
CONCLUSION: Rotenone induces mitochondrial
fragmentation and increased membrane potential in S.
pombe cells.
Method: MitoTracker CMXRos Red stained wild type S. pombe
cells treated with DMSO (left panel) or DMSO+rotenone (16 µM)
for 10 min.
Control +Rotenone
5. • Dr. Stevan Marcus
– Associate Professor
– Graduate Program Director
– Over 20 publications
• Departments
– Biological Sciences
Inventor
smarcus@bama.ua.edu
6. Office for Technology Transfer
720 2nd Ct E
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
UAIPD08-0036
OTT@UA.edu
www.OTT.UA.edu
