Woburn, MA, November 8, 2000
AlphaGene, Inc. has announced that company
scientists have identified two novel genes
associated with Alzheimer's Disease (AD). The
announcement was made at a presentation at the
BioContact meeting in Quebec, Canada, on October 5
by Dr. Peter A. Schad, AlphaGene's Chief Scientific
Officer.
Both genes, designated 121181 and 121228, were
discovered using AlphaGene's proprietary full-length
gene inventory and cDNA microarray technology. The
company demonstrated that these genes were expressed
at abnormally high levels in AD brain tissue,
compared to levels found in normal tissue. One of
these genes, 121181, has since appeared in the
public database, but its possible connection to AD
was discovered by AlphaGene.
AlphaGene also identified potential functions for
these genes by studying their expression in a Yeast
Two Hybrid system. This method uses the gene of
interest as "bait" to screen DNA libraries
to find interaction partners. The studies showed
that gene 121228 interacted with several proteins
known to be associated with AD, including ApoJ, AMY
and GFAP, and seven other novel gene products, which
are currently being characterized.
Dr. Peter Schad said "We can identify these
novel genes because we do not amplify our libraries
by PCR or in bacteria, thereby avoiding artificial
selection processes, or the introduction of
artifacts into the gene sequences. We produce
primary libraries that consist of full-length
sequences, giving us access to rare and difficult to
isolate genes not currently found in the public
domain."
AlphaGene has also identified, through application
of its proprietary bioinformatics tools, a potential
functional role for gene 121228. Company scientists
found that the gene shares a sequence motif in
common with RNA synthetase genes, suggesting a role
for protein encoded by this gene in RNA processing.
RNA synthetases are enzymes that regulate RNA
synthesis, which are crucial to the body's
production of correctly processed, fully functional
proteins.
"The identification of these novel genes
advances the knowledge contained in the human genome
database, for which about 30,000 genes remain
unidentified," said Dr. Donald McCarren,
President and Chief Executive Officer of AlphaGene.
"Their discovery supports the value and
necessity of applying advanced technologies to
identify novel drug targets and specific disease
pathways. Further, AlphaGene's ability to assign
functionality to these genes gives us access to a
considerable patent estate."
Dr. McCarren further commented, "AlphaGene is
working to discover not only specific gene sequences
associated specifically with neurological disorders,
but also to identify cellular pathways that could
both help explain the variations in the molecular
bases for Alzheimer's disease, and provide unique
targets for therapeutic interventions."
About AlphaGene, Inc.
AlphaGene, Inc. (http://www.alphagene.com)
is a privately held functional genomics company
offering products and services to biotech and
pharmaceutical companies engaged in drug discovery and
development. AlphaGene uses its large inventory of
full-length cDNAs and Bioinformatics expertise to
bridge the gap between genomics and functional
proteomics. The company focuses on differential gene
expression in degenerative neurological diseases
including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's
Diseases.
