Use of Methyl Sulfoxide Compounds for the Treatment of Diseases Due to Oxidative Damage

Description

Cells protect against oxidative damage by destroying reactive oxygen species (ROS) directly or by repairing damage to macromolecules due to ROS. It is known that methionine in proteins is readily oxidized to methionine sulfoxide by ROS, and recently it has been shown that the repair of this damage by the methionine sulfoxide reductase (Msr) family of enzymes is an important cellular mechanism to protect cells against oxidative damage. The Msr system functions in two ways; 1) by repairing damage to essential proteins in the cell, and 2) by acting as a scavenger of ROS. In this latter mechanism the methionine residues in proteins, which undergo oxidation and reduction, act catalytically to destroy ROS. Compounds have been synthesized which mimic methionine, in that they can be oxidized in the cell by ROS and reduced by the Msr system. These compounds should also act as catalytic anti-oxidants and protect cells against oxidative damage.

Advantages

• These compounds should be more efficient than known anti-oxidants (e.g., vitamins C, E and beta carotene) since they act catalytically within the cell
• Up regulating the Msr system has been shown to lengthen life span in an animal model, which may make these compounds potential drugs to treat a variety of neurodegenerative and other diseases related to aging

Potential Applications

• Preventing oxidative damage from ROS could have important therapeutic value for a variety of diseases related to aging including neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson's, and ALS as well as heart attacks and strokes.

(c) Florida Atlantic University All rights reserved.
Updated August 10, 2008

Inventors
Dr. Herbert Weissbach
Biological Sciences

Dr. Nathan Brot
Hospital for Special Surgery

IP Status
U.S. Patent 7,129,374
Issued 10/31/2006

Contact Information
Office of Technology Transfer
777 Glades Road, ADM 218
Boca Raton, FL 33431-0991

Kurt R. Moore
Assistant V.P. & Director
Ph: 561-297-1165
Fax: 561-297-2141
kmoore34@fau.edu

Michelle Webb
Assistant Director
Ph: 561-297-0673
Fax: 561-297-2141
mwebb18@fau.edu

Case Number
2002-18