Abstract
UNC-51-like kinase 1 (ULK1), the yeast Atg1 ortholog, is the sole serine-threonine kinase and initiating enzyme in autophagy, which may be regarded as a target in Parkinson's disease (PD). Herein, we discovered a small molecule 33i (BL-918) as a potent activator of ULK1 by structure-based drug design. Subsequently, some key amino acid residues (Arg18, Lys50, Asn86, and Tyr89) were found to be crucial to the binding pocket between ULK1 and 33i by site-directed mutagenesis. Moreover, we found that 33i induced autophagy via the ULK complex in SH-SY5Y cells. Intriguingly, this activator displayed a cytoprotective effect on MPP+-treated SH-SY5Y cells, as well as protected against MPTP-induced motor dysfunction and loss of dopaminergic neurons by targeting ULK1-modulated autophagy in mouse models of PD. Together, these results demonstrate the therapeutic potential to target ULK1, and 33i, the novel activator of ULK1, may serve as a candidate drug for future PD treatment.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
