The metallo-protein Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD1) is a ubiquitous enzyme responsible for scavenging superoxide radicals. Mutations in SOD1, which alter its metal binding capacity and can result in protein misfolding and aggregation, have been linked to familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Cu-ATSM is an orally bioavailable, blood-brain barrier permeable complex that has traditionally been used in cellular imaging experiments to selectively label hypoxic tissue via its susceptibility to reduction by oxygen-depleted mitochondria. More recently, Cu-ATSM has been reported to improve locomotor function and survival in a transgenic ALS mouse model by delivering copper specifically to cells in the spinal cords of mice producing misfolded SOD1 proteins. Copper chaperone for SOD (CCS) is presumed to utilize the copper from Cu-ATSM to prevent misfolding of the SOD1 protein.
16F16 is a protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) inhibitor.1It inhibits PDI reductase activity in an enzyme assay when used at concentrations ranging from 1 to 100 μg/ml.116F16 reduces PC12 cell apoptosis induced by the misfolded huntingtin protein HTTQ103. It suppresses PDI-dependent mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) in isolated PC12 cell mitochondria. 16F16 (2, 3, 4, and 10 μM) reduces HTTN90Q73mutant huntingtin-induced medium spinal neuron death and MOMP in rat corticostriatal slices. It also reduces pyramidal neuron death induced by amyloid-β precursor protein (APP) in rat corticostriatal slices. 1.Hoffstrom, B.G., Kaplan, A., Letso, R., et al.Inhibitors of protein disulfide isomerase suppress apoptosis induced by misfolded proteinsNat. Chem. Biol.6(12)900-906(2010)
Arimoclomol citrate (BRX-220 citrate) is a heat shock protein (HSP) co-inducer that acts by enhancing Hsp expression and directly impacting protein aggregation, clearance of misfolded assemblies, and the proteasome-ubiquitin system. This compound is known for its ability to protect motor neurons.
VCP p97 inhibitor-1, a highly effective compound, inhibits VCP p97 (also known as Cdc48, CDC-48, or Ter94) with an IC 50 of 54.7 nM. This inhibitor induces a disruption in protein homeostasis and interferes with the degradation process of misfolded polypeptides by the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS).
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, caused by accumulation of misfolded proteins and a disruption of calcium homeostasis, has been linked to several neuronal diseases including, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and prion diseases. A screen for protective activity against ER stress-dependent cell death identified termitomycamides, extracts from the fruiting bodies of T. titanicus, a notably large edible mushroom that is cultivated symbiotically in the nests of termites Termitomycamide B is a fatty acid isolated from T. titanicus that at a dose of 0.1 μg/ml protects against ER stress-dependent cell death in Neuro2a cells induced by tunicamycin.