New discovery for Alzheimer’s: Experimental molecule restores memory in animal tests

A Greek team of researchers, led by Giorgos Skretas, has developed a new pharmaceutical molecule which, in preclinical tests, restored learning ability and memory in animal models with features of Alzheimer’s disease.

The discovery is the result of collaboration between scientists at the “Alexander Fleming” Biomedical Sciences Research Center, the National Hellenic Research Foundation and the spin-off company ResQ Biotech. The molecule, called RSQ-020, targets the Tau protein, which when it folds abnormally and forms aggregates is linked to the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases.

The development of RSQ-020 was supported by a new technological platform created by the same research group. The platform uses modified bacteria to produce a large number of candidate molecules and to simultaneously identify those that show biological activity.

According to Giorgos Skretas, this approach differs from the traditional method of drug development, which usually requires a molecule that fits a specific protein target. In the case of proteins that constantly change their structure, as happens in diseases linked to protein misfolding, this method presents great difficulties.

The new research platform aims to identify directly the molecules that produce the desired effect. For this purpose, the researchers use modified bacteria that emit a green signal when the damaged protein returns to a more normal state.

In practice, the scientists place a human protein in the bacteria and program it to light up when the protein reaches a more stable structure. At the same time, the bacteria produce billions of different molecules, creating the possibility of quickly identifying candidates that can correct the protein-folding problem.

The technology was initially developed for research on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and the SOD1 protein, but the researchers assess that it can also be applied to other neurodegenerative diseases.

Abnormal protein folding is also linked to diseases such as Parkinson’s and other disorders of the nervous system. However, the results with RSQ-020 are still at the preclinical stage and further studies are needed to determine whether the molecule can be safe and effective in humans.