Unlocking Trehalose's versatility: A comprehensive Journey from biosynthesis to therapeutic applications

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Trehalose, a glucose disaccharide, has demonstrated protective properties for diverse biological materials for over 40 years.
• Its potential as a therapeutic agent is gaining attention in the pharmaceutical industry due to observed reductions in disease severity in experimental models.
• The exact mechanisms behind trehalose's protective effects remain largely undefined.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the significance of the trehalose biosynthesis pathway in novel drug development.
• To investigate inhibitors of trehalose synthesis and evaluate the binding efficiency of trehalose-6-phosphate (T6P) with trehalose-6-phosphate synthase 1 (TPS1).
• To highlight trehalose's protective effects in modulating autophagy, combating viral infections, and addressing cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on trehalose biosynthesis, drug development, and therapeutic applications.
• Analysis of existing research on trehalose's protective mechanisms and its role in disease models.
• Evaluation of trehalose's potential as a surfactant for drug delivery, specifically monoclonal antibodies.

Main Results:

• Trehalose biosynthesis pathway is significant for developing new therapeutic drugs.
• Inhibitors of trehalose synthesis and T6P-TPS1 binding efficiency are under investigation.
• Trehalose demonstrates protective effects in autophagy, viral infections, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Conclusions:

• Trehalose holds promise as a therapeutic agent for various human conditions.
• Understanding trehalose biosynthesis and its interactions is crucial for drug development.
• Trehalose's role as a surfactant broadens its biomedical applications, particularly in antibody delivery.