NR AJPJ
AU Priola,S.A.; Raines,A.; Caughey,W.S.
TI Porphyrin and phthalocyanine antiscrapie compounds
QU Science 2000 Feb 25; 287(5457): 1503-6
KI Science. 2000 Apr 14;288(5464):273-4. PMID: 10777407
PT journal article
AB The transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are fatal, neurodegenerative diseases for which no effective treatments are available. The likelihood that a bovine form of TSE has crossed species barriers and infected humans underscores the urgent need to identify anti-TSE drugs. Certain cyclic tetrapyrroles (porphyrins and phthalocyanines) have recently been shown to inhibit the in vitro formation of PrPres, a protease-resistant protein critical for TSE pathogenesis. We now report that treatment of TSE-infected animals with three such compounds increased survival time from 50 to 300%. The significant inhibition of TSE disease by structurally dissimilar tetrapyrroles identifies these compounds as anti-TSE drugs.
MH Animal; Brain/drug effects/metabolism; Deuteroporphyrins/chemistry/metabolism/*pharmacology/therapeutic use; Disease Progression; Ferric Compounds/chemistry/metabolism/*pharmacology/therapeutic use; Hamsters; Indoles/chemistry/metabolism/*pharmacology/therapeutic use; Metalloporphyrins/chemistry/metabolism/*pharmacology/therapeutic use; Mice; Mice, Transgenic; Porphyrins/chemistry/metabolism/*pharmacology/therapeutic use; PrPsc Proteins/*drug effects/metabolism; Scrapie/*drug therapy; Spleen/drug effects; Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.; Time Factors
AD Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA. spriola@nih.gov
SP englisch
PO USA