Anti-sense approach to anticholinesterase therapeutics

H. Soreq, S. Seidman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

The acetylcholine-hydrolyzing enzyme, acetylcholinesterase, is the molecular target of approved drugs for Alzhiemer's disease and myasthenia gravis. However, recent data implicate AChE splicing variants in the etiology of complex diseases such as AD and MG. Despite the large arsenal of anti-AChE drugs, therapeutic inhibitors are primarily targeted towards an active site shared by all variants. In contrast, anti-sense oligonucleotides attack unique mRNA sequences rather than tertiary protein structures. AS-ODNs thus offer a means to target gene expression in a highly discriminative manner using very low concentrations of drug. In light of the likely role(s) of specific AChE variants in various diseases affecting cholinergic neutrotransmission, the potential contribution that anti-sense technology can make towards improved approaches to anti-AChE therapeutics deserves serious attention.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)81-85
Number of pages5
JournalIsrael Medical Association Journal
Volume2
Issue numberSUPPL. JULY
StatePublished - 2000

Keywords

  • Acetylcholinesterase
  • Alzheimer's disease
  • Anti-sense
  • Cholinesterase inhibitors
  • Head injury
  • Myasthenia gravis
  • Stress

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