Identification of KHS-101 as a Transcription Factor EB Activator to Promote α-Synuclein Degradation

Neurodegenerative disorders are increasingly linked to a progressive decline in lysosomal function. Activating Transcription Factor EB (TFEB), a master regulator of lysosomal biogenesis and Autophagy, has therefore emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy to enhance cellular clearance in these conditions. In this study, we identified KHS-101 as a novel TFEB activator through a high-throughput screen of blood-brain-barrier-permeable small molecules. We demonstrated that KHS-101 promotes TFEB nuclear translocation, enhances lysosomal biogenesis and proteolytic activity, and increases autophagic flux. Furthermore, KHS-101 significantly accelerates the degradation of pathogenic A53T mutant α-synuclein in a cellular model of Parkinson's disease, suggesting its potential to mitigate α-synuclein-mediated proteotoxicity and hold neuroprotective potential. Our findings identify KHS-101 as a potent TFEB activator and highlight the therapeutic potential of modulating the autophagy-lysosomal pathway for treating Parkinson's disease and related disorders.

KHS-101; Parkinson’s disease; TFEB; autophagy–lysosome pathway; lysosome degradation; α-synuclein.