BACKGROUND:  Aging is a natural state of development that reduces one's adaptivity and increases the incidence of disease. Several diseases, including cancer, atherosclerosis and neurodegeneration, occur as a direct result of aging. Resveratrol is a well known anti-aging chemical, but its molecular target is controversial, making it difficult to uncover other chemicals. It would be of interest to discover resveratrol's target within the cell to allow a new class of anti-aging drugs to emerge.

INNOVATION:  Researchers at UCLA have identified the molecular target of resveratrol, thereby uncovering a new drug target for anti-aging drug screening. Additionally, this target has been indirectly implicated in anti-aging research in S. cerevisiae and C. elegans, and inhibitors of this target have previously been identified. These inhibitors may be useful candidates for future anti-aging drugs.

POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS 

• Anti-aging drug target for the treatment of aging diseases, such as diabetes, cancers, Alzheimer's diseases and other neurogenerative diseases.
• New assay for anti-aging drug discovery

ADVANTAGES

• Specific target for anti-aging compound screens may enable rationale design of drug targets

DEVELOPMENT-TO-DATE:  The molecular target of resveratrol has been identified. Its use as a readout for anti-aging drug discovery has been validated in vitro. The existing inhibitors to the target have not been tested for their ability to prolong survival in the laboratory.

Reference: UCLA Case No. 2009-302