Abstract: Provided is an unprecedented composition that is not a conventional symptomatic treatment, but makes possible the fundamental treatment of current neurodegenerative diseases by inhibiting oxidative-stress induced nerve-cell death. The disclosed neurodegenerative disease therapeutic agent includes a compound, or a salt of said compound, that inhibits oxidative-stress induced nerve-cell death to a high degree and is an agent used in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: [Problems] To provide a neuronal cell death inhibitor and a therapeutic agent for a neurodegenerative disease, particularly Parkinson's disease. [Means for Solving Problems] It is known that DJ-1 protein is involved in Parkinson's disease and is capable of inhibiting neuronal cell death caused by oxidative stress. Based on this knowledge, screening is made for a low molecular weight molecule capable of binding to an active site of DJ-1 protein (i.e., a region around a cysteine residue at position-106) using an analysis softwear FastDock (Fujitsu Ltd.). When various tests are made using candidate low molecular weight compounds each having a binding energy of ?60 kcal/mol or lower, these compounds show a therapeutic effect on a neurodegenerative disease.

Abstract: [Problems] To provide a neuronal cell death inhibitor and a therapeutic agent for a neurodegenerative disease, particularly Parkinson's disease. [Means for Solving Problems] It is known that DJ-1 protein is involved in Parkinson's disease and is capable of inhibiting neuronal cell death caused by oxidative stress. Based on this knowledge, screening is made for a low molecular weight molecule capable of binding to an active site of DJ-1 protein (i.e., a region around a cysteine residue at position-106) using an analysis softwear FastDock (Fujitsu Ltd.). When various tests are made using candidate low molecular weight compounds each having a binding energy of ?60 kcal/mol or lower, these compounds show a therapeutic effect on a neurodegenerative disease.

Abstract: A plasmid which contains a mammalian cell-derived autonomously replicating sequence DNA, a promoter and a gene for peptide production inclusive of the translation initiation codon.