Maintenance of NAD pools is critical for neuronal survival. The capacity to maintain NAD pools declines in neurodegenerative disease. We identify that low NMNAT2, the critical neuronal NAD producing enzyme, drives retinal susceptibility to neurodegenerative insults. As proof of concept, gene therapy over-expressing full length human NMNAT2 is neuroprotective. To pharmacologically target NMNAT2, we identify that epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) can drive NAD production in neurons through an NMNAT2 and NMN dependent mechanism. We confirm this by pharmacological and genetic inhibition of the NAD-salvage pathway. EGCG is neuroprotective in rodent (mixed sex) and human models of retinal neurodegeneration. As EGCG has poor drug-like qualities, we use it as a tool compound to generate novel small molecules which drive neuronal NAD production and provide neuroprotection. This class of NMNAT2 targeted small molecules could have an important therapeutic impact for neurodegenerative disease following further drug development.

• MeSH
• genetická terapie metody   MeSH
• katechin * analogy a deriváty   farmakologie   MeSH
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• modely nemocí na zvířatech MeSH
• myši inbrední C57BL MeSH
• myši MeSH
• NAD * metabolismus   MeSH
• neurodegenerativní nemoci farmakoterapie   metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• neurony * metabolismus   účinky léků   MeSH
• neuroprotektivní látky * farmakologie   MeSH
• nikotinamidnukleotidadenylyltransferasa * metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• retina metabolismus   účinky léků   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• myši MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH