Abstract: The invention concerns screening molecules with anti-prion activity. More particularly, it concerns kits for screening molecules with anti-prion activity characterized in that they comprise in combination a [PSI+], phenotype yeast, an antibiogram and an agent for purifying prions at sub-efficient doses, said yeast including the ade1-14 allele of the ADE1 gene and an inactivated ERG6 gene, the screening methods, and a family of molecules with anti-prion activity isolated by the inventive screen. The invention is applicable to anti-prion agents for producing medicines in particular for treating neurodegenerative diseases involving protein aggregates.

Abstract: The invention concerns screening molecules with anti-prion activity. More particularly, it concerns kits for screening molecules with anti-prion activity characterized in that they comprise in combination a [PSI+], phenotype yeast, an antibiogram and an agent for purifying prions at sub-efficient doses, said yeast including the adel-14 allele of the ADE1 gene and an inactivated ERG6 gene, the screening methods, and a family of molecules with anti-prion activity isolated by the inventive screen. The invention is applicable to anti-prion agents for producing medicines in particular for treating neurodegenerative diseases involving protein aggregates.

Abstract: A kit and a method for identifying compounds having anti-prion activity are provided. The kit comprises a yeast of phenotype [PSI+]; an antibiogram; and a prion curing agent in a sub-effective dose, wherein the yeast has the adel-14 allele of the ADE1 gene and an inactivated ERG6 gene. Compounds and pharmaceutical compositions having anti-prion activity are also provided, which are useful for treating various neurodegenerative diseases, including polyglutamines expansion associated diseases; Huntington's disease; Kennedy disease; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; cerebellous autosomic ataxies; dentalorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy; and spino-bulbar amyotrophy.