Identification of HSP70 activators

National Center For Advancing Translational Sciences

Investigators

Abstract

During this reporting period we have established high-throughput screening assays to monitor the activity of HSP70. We have first adopted an imaging based phenotypic assay that reports on TDP-43 aggregation typical of ALS. Evaluation of a pilot screening of internal libraries indicated this assay is not suitable for identification of direct HSP70 activators. Alternative thermal-shift biochemical assays were also evaluated. While efficient at identifying inhibitors, HSP70 prior art activators were not detected. We are currently establishing an activity-based HSP70 biochemical assay to monitor protein activation.