BRIAN CURRAN CAPELL, MD
Dermatology in Philadelphia, PA

2013020, Aug 8, 2013

Apr 4, 2013

13/857052

The Government of the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Department - Rockville MD, US
The Regents of the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor MI, US
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Chapel Hill NC, US
Brian C. Capell - Philadelphia PA, US
Adrienne D. Cox - Chapel Hill NC, US
Channing J. Der - Chapel Hill NC, US

The Government of the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Department of - Rockville MD
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Chapel Hill NC
The Regents of the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor MI
Progeria Research Foundation, Inc. - Peabody MA

A61K 31/4545, A61K 31/4709, A61K 45/06

514290, 514303, 514312

Although it can be farnesylated, the mutant lamin A protein expressed in Hutchinson Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) cannot be defarnesylated because the characteristic mutation causes deletion of a cleavage site necessary for binding the protease ZMPSTE24 and effecting defarnesylation. The result is an aberrant farnesylated protein (called “progerin”) that alters normal lamin A function as a dominant negative, as well as assuming its own aberrant function through its association with the nuclear membrane. The retention of farnesylation, and potentially other abnormal properties of progerin and other abnormal lamin gene protein products, produces disease. Farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTIs) (both direct effectors and indirect inhibitors) will inhibit the formation of progerin, cause a decrease in lamin A protein, and/or an increase prelamin A protein. Decreasing the amount of aberrant protein improves cellular effects caused by and progerin expression. Similarly, treatment with FTIs should improve disease status in progeria and other laminopathies. In addition, elements of atherosclerosis and aging in non-laminopathy individuals will improve after treatment with farnesyltransferase inhibitors.