![conference banner](/images/conference-banner.jpeg)
Abstract
Inappropriate protein aggregation is a key mechanism in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative disorders. One of the main strategies by which cells deal with abnormal protein aggregates is autophagy, a degradation pathway for intracellular aggregate-prone proteins. Trehalose, a non-reducing disaccharide which has been utilized extensively in the food industry, has been recently demonstrated to have a number of unique properties that point to its potential utility in preventing neurodegeneration. First, trehalose may act as a potent stabilizer of proteins and is able to preserve protein structural integrity. Second, it is a chaperone and reduces aggregation of pathologically misfolded proteins. Third, it improves the clearance of the mutant proteins which act as autophagy substrates when aberrant protein deposition occurs. Notably, trehalose is an mTOR-independent inducer of autophagy, and in animal models of neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Huntington’s disease, has been shown to decrease the levels of toxic protein aggregates, increase autophagy, and improve clinical symptoms and survival. In summary, mounting experimental evidence suggests that trehalose may prevent neurodegenerative disorders by stabilizing proteins and promoting autophagy. Because of the low toxicity profile that allows for administration for extended periods, human studies of trehalose in preventing neurodegeneration are warranted.
Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, autophagy, Huntington’s disease, neurodegeneration, Parkinson’s disease, trehalose.
Current Drug Targets
Title:Can Trehalose Prevent Neurodegeneration? Insights from Experimental Studies
Volume: 15 Issue: 5
Author(s): Enzo Emanuele
Affiliation:
Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, autophagy, Huntington’s disease, neurodegeneration, Parkinson’s disease, trehalose.
Abstract: Inappropriate protein aggregation is a key mechanism in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative disorders. One of the main strategies by which cells deal with abnormal protein aggregates is autophagy, a degradation pathway for intracellular aggregate-prone proteins. Trehalose, a non-reducing disaccharide which has been utilized extensively in the food industry, has been recently demonstrated to have a number of unique properties that point to its potential utility in preventing neurodegeneration. First, trehalose may act as a potent stabilizer of proteins and is able to preserve protein structural integrity. Second, it is a chaperone and reduces aggregation of pathologically misfolded proteins. Third, it improves the clearance of the mutant proteins which act as autophagy substrates when aberrant protein deposition occurs. Notably, trehalose is an mTOR-independent inducer of autophagy, and in animal models of neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Huntington’s disease, has been shown to decrease the levels of toxic protein aggregates, increase autophagy, and improve clinical symptoms and survival. In summary, mounting experimental evidence suggests that trehalose may prevent neurodegenerative disorders by stabilizing proteins and promoting autophagy. Because of the low toxicity profile that allows for administration for extended periods, human studies of trehalose in preventing neurodegeneration are warranted.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Emanuele Enzo, Can Trehalose Prevent Neurodegeneration? Insights from Experimental Studies, Current Drug Targets 2014; 15 (5) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389450115666140225104705
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389450115666140225104705 |
Print ISSN 1389-4501 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-5592 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Drug-Targeted Approach with Polymer Nanocomposites for Improved Therapeutics
Polymer nanocomposites have been recognized as an advanced and cutting-edge technique in drug targeting administration. These materials combine the unique features of nanoparticles with the adaptability of polymers to produce highly personalized drug administration devices. Integrating nanoparticles containing pharmaceuticals into a polymer matrix enables researchers to regulate the rates at ...read more
RNA Molecules in the Treatment of Human Diseases
Messenger and non-coding RNAs, including long and small transcripts, are mediators of gene expression. Gene expression at the RNA level shows significant aberrations in human diseases, including cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological disorders. Human transcripts serve either as biomarkers of diagnosis, prognosis, prediction of treatment response, and/or therapy ...read more
Therapeutic Chemical and RNA Design with Artificial Intelligence
Computer-Aided Drug Design (CADD) has emerged as a fundamental component of modern drug discovery. Molecular docking facilitates virtual screening on a large scale through structural simulations. However, traditional CADD approaches face significant limitations, as they can only screen known compounds from existing libraries. PubChem, as the most widely used chemical ...read more
![Wayfinder Image](/images/wayfinder.jpg)
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Cell-Replacement Therapy with Stem Cells in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Current Neurovascular Research Role of Metals in Neuronal Apoptosis: Challenges Associated with Neurodegeneration
Current Alzheimer Research Meet Our Editorial Board Member:
Current Medicinal Chemistry Role of Cannabinoids in Various Diseases: A Review
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Recent Advances in Characterizing Natural Products that Regulate Autophagy
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Future Treatment for COPD: Targeting Oxidative Stress and its Related Signal
Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery Targeting Heat Shock Proteins in Tauopathies
Current Alzheimer Research Preface [Hot Topic: Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (Prion Diseases) Guest Editors: Xuemin Ye and Richard I. Carp ]
Current Medicinal Chemistry - Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Somatic Stem Cells as Tool to Study the Role of MicroRNAs in Early Human Neural Development
Current Molecular Medicine Neurotransmitters and Microglial-Mediated Neuroinflammation
Current Protein & Peptide Science Memantine: A Therapeutic Approach in Treating Alzheimers and Vascular Dementia
Current Drug Targets - CNS & Neurological Disorders Stimuli-Responsive Nanocarriers for Drug Delivery to the Central Nervous System
Current Nanoscience Transient Cerebral Ischemia Leads to TGF-β2 Expression in Golgi Apparatus Organelles
Current Neurovascular Research After Thalidomide – Do We Have the Right Balance Between Public Health and Intellectual Property
Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials Metabolism of the Endocannabinoids Anandamide and 2-Arachidonoyl Glycerol, A Review, with Emphasis on the Pharmacology of Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase, A Possible Target for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Pain
Current Medicinal Chemistry - Central Nervous System Agents Harnessing Stem Cells and Neurotrophic Factors with Novel Technologies in the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Withdrawal Notice: Mucoadhesive Microspheres: An Emerging Trends in Therapy of Diabetes Mellitus
Current Diabetes Reviews Caffeine as a Lead Compound for the Design of Therapeutic Agents for the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease
Current Medicinal Chemistry Mitochondriotropic Cationic Vesicles A Strategy Towards Mitochondrial Gene Therapy
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Ionotropic Glutamate Receptor Biology: Effect on Synaptic Connectivity and Function in Neurological Disease
Current Medicinal Chemistry