TNFRSF-19: An AI-powered novel target for drug design

TNF receptor superfamily member 19 (TNFRSF-19) is an orphan member of the TNF receptor superfamily. Higher expression of TNFRSF-19 is associated with Glioblastoma (GBM), neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), and different types of cancers. It has neither any known ligand nor any inhibitors. Using an AI-ML algorithm, we established that TNFRSF-19 is a novel, druggable target. The current proposal focuses on designing small peptide molecules using cutting-edge AI-powered tools (AlphaFold2, BindCraft) and lead optimization and validation by human-based 3D tumoroid assays to identify potential peptide inhibitors that bind to and/or inhibit TNFRSF-19. Those potent peptides will be tested as future therapeutic candidates.