Federal Grant Award Summary

The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center received a $156,760 Project Grant award from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) under the Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders program (CFDA 93.853), effective May 1, 2026 through April 30, 2027. This award supports fundamental research investigating the catalytic potential of three rare disease-associated pseudokinases—SCYL1, SCYL2, and TBCK—which have been implicated in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders including Autosomal Recessive Spinocerebellar Ataxia-21 (SCAR21/CALFAN), neurogenic arthrogryposis multiplex congenita 4, and TBCK syndrome.

The research deliverables include biochemical characterization and mass spectrometry analyses to determine whether these pseudokinases exhibit catalytic activity beyond traditional phosphorylation, as well as cellular studies using inducible knockdown cell lines to assess whether active site residues are essential for their cellular functions. This multidisciplinary investigation will provide critical insights into disease mechanisms and uncover novel enzymatic activities within the pseudokinase protein class, advancing understanding of rare neurological disease pathophysiology and potentially identifying new therapeutic targets.