Description of Invention: NIH investigators, for the first time, identified specific mutations associated with stuttering. These mutations are located within the genes encoding three enzymes, Glc-NAc phosphotransferase catalytic subunit [GNPTAB], Glc-NAc phosphotransferase recognition subunit [GNPTG], and N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphodiester alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase [NAGPA]. Together these constitute the pathway that targets lysosomal enzymes to their proper location. This pathway is associated with lysosomal storage disorders, and thereby this discovery provides potential novel therapeutic targets for amelioration of stuttering. This discovery has the potential to facilitate DNA-based (micro-array) testing among individuals who stutter, as well as enzyme-replacement therapy and small-molecule chaperone therapy for treatment of stuttering. The mutations described in this invention may account for up to 5-10% of this disorder in individuals who stutter, estimated to represent 60,000-120,000 individuals in the United States.
Portfolios: Internal Medicine Internal Medicine - Diagnostics Internal Medicine - Therapeutics
For Additional Information Please Contact: Suryanarayana Vepa Ph.D. NIH Office of Technology Transfer 6011 Executive Blvd. Suite 325, Rockville, MD 20852 United States Email: vepas@mail.nih.gov Phone: 301-435-5020 Fax: 301-402-0220
Description of Invention:
NIH investigators, for the first time, identified specific mutations associated with stuttering. These mutations are located within the genes encoding three enzymes, Glc-NAc phosphotransferase catalytic subunit [GNPTAB], Glc-NAc phosphotransferase recognition subunit [GNPTG], and N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphodiester alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase [NAGPA]. Together these constitute the pathway that targets lysosomal enzymes to their proper location. This pathway is associated with lysosomal storage disorders, and thereby this discovery provides potential novel therapeutic targets for amelioration of stuttering. This discovery has the potential to facilitate DNA-based (micro-array) testing among individuals who stutter, as well as enzyme-replacement therapy and small-molecule chaperone therapy for treatment of stuttering. The mutations described in this invention may account for up to 5-10% of this disorder in individuals who stutter, estimated to represent 60,000-120,000 individuals in the United States.
Applications:
Development Status:
Early stage
Inventors:
Dennis T Drayna (NIDCD)
Changsoo P Kang (NIDCD)
Patent Status:
HHS, Reference No. E-084-2009/0
PCT, Application No. PCT/US10/23437 filed 08 Feb 2010
Licensing Status:
Available for licensing.
Portfolios:
Internal Medicine
Internal Medicine - Diagnostics
Internal Medicine - Therapeutics
For Additional Information Please Contact:
Suryanarayana Vepa Ph.D.
NIH Office of Technology Transfer
6011 Executive Blvd. Suite 325,
Rockville, MD 20852
United States
Email: vepas@mail.nih.gov
Phone: 301-435-5020
Fax: 301-402-0220
Ref No: 1935
Updated: 05/2009