Farnesyltransferase inhibitor and rapamycin correct aberrant genome organisation and decrease  DNA damage respectively, in Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome fibroblasts.

Farnesyltransferase inhibitor and rapamycin correct aberrant genome organisation and decrease DNA damage respectively, in Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome fibroblasts. Biogerontology. 2018 Jun 15;: Authors: Bikkul MU, Clements CS, Godwin LS, Goldberg MW, Kill IR, Bridger JM Abstract Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a rare and fatal premature ageing disease in children. HGPS is one of several progeroid syndromes caused by mutations in the LMNA gene encoding the nuclear structural proteins lamins A and C. In classic HGPS the mutation G608G leads to the formation of a toxic lamin A protein called progerin. During post-translational processing progerin remains farnesylated owing to the mutation interfering with a step whereby the farnesyl moiety is removed by the enzyme ZMPSTE24. Permanent farnesylation of progerin is thought to be responsible for the proteins toxicity. Farnesyl is generated through the mevalonate pathway and three drugs that interfere with this pathway and hence the farnesylation of proteins have been administered to HGPS children in clinical trials. These are a farnesyltransferase inhibitor (FTI), statin and a bisphosphonate. Further experimental studies have revealed that other drugs such as N-acetyl cysteine, rapamycin and IGF-1 may be of use in treating HGPS through other pathways. We have shown previously that FTIs restore chromosome positioning in interphase HGPS nuclei. Mis-localisation of chro...
Source: Biogerontology - Category: Geriatrics Authors: Tags: Biogerontology Source Type: research