Methods for diagnosing and treating learning or mental disorders with the SERCA2 protein and miRNAs that regulate SERCA2 levels (SJ-10-0003 and SJ-12-0020)

St. Jude Reference #SJ-10-0003 and #SJ-12-0020

Description

In Journal of Neuroscience articles published in 2010 and 2012, Dr. Stanislav Zakharenko, M.D., Ph.D. and colleagues reported that elevated levels of the SERCA2 protein contribute to cognitive and psychiatric symptoms. Studies in a mouse model of 22q11 deletion syndrome, a condition characterized by cognitive decline and increased risk of psychiatric disorder, mainly schizophrenia; show SERCA inhibitors rescued neuronal abnormalities found in these mice. Further studies in these mice and other mutant mice that carry a deletion of the Dgcr8 gene show that specific microRNAs that inhibit SERCA2, miR-25 and miR-185, rescue these neuronal abnormalities.

Keywords

SERCA2, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, autism spectrum disorder, miRNA, miR-25, miR-185

Granted patents or published applications

US 8,895,511; 9,255, 268; 10,308,933

Related scientific references

Earls LR, Bayazitov IT, Fricke RG, Berry RB, Illingworth E, Mittleman G, Zakharenko SS; Dysregulation of presynaptic calcium and synaptic plasticity in a mouse model of 22q11 deletion syndrome; J Neuroscience 2010 Nov 24;30(47):15843-55;

Earls LR, Fricke RG, Yu J, Berry RB, Baldwin LT, Zakharenko SS; Age-dependent microRNA control of synaptic plasticity in 22q11 deletion syndrome and schizophrenia; J Neuroscience 10 October 2012, 32(41): 14132-14144.

Licensing opportunities

We are currently seeking licensing opportunities in all fields for the development of this technology. Contact: chad.riggs@stjude.org

Contact the Office of Technology Licensing (Phone: 901-595-2342, Fax: 901-595-3148) for more information.