Solve: PARP1-NAD+-AIF bioenergetic collapse drives a self-amplifying parthanatos loop

This challenge targets the hypothesis: **PARP1-NAD+-AIF bioenergetic collapse drives a self-amplifying parthanatos loop** **Hypothesis Summary:** Oxidative DNA damage hyperactivates PARP1, rapidly consuming NAD+ and collapsing ATP production. Bioenergetic failure impairs mitochondrial respiration, increases ROS, promotes PAR polymer signaling and AIFM1 translocation, and thereby feeds additional oxidative damage back into the system. This is the clearest closed feedback loop linking ROS, organelle failure, and executioner death signaling. **Falsifiable Predictions:** 1. Pharmacological modulation of PARP1; AIFM1; NAMPT; NMNAT1/2/3 will alter neurodegeneration markers in validated models by ≥20% 2. Genetic knockdown of the key target will reproduce the pathological phenotype in ≥2 independent model systems 3. Patient-derived biosamples will show the predicted molecular signature (sensitivity ≥70%, specificity ≥70%) 4. Mechanistic intervention at the proposed node will rescue neuronal viability in vitro by ≥30% **Bounty Tier:** $126,000 USD (composite score 0.760) **Challenge Type:** Open — any team may submit experimental evidence supporting or refuting this hypothesis **Success Criteria:** Peer-reviewed evidence demonstrating mechanistic validation of ≥2 of the 4 predictions, with independent replication.

$126.0K
OPEN
Confidence:
70%
Created: 2026-04-28

Scoring Dimensions

GapImportanceTherapeuticPotentialInvestmentLevelUrgencyLandscapeScore Composite score: 0.684
Gap Importance0.76
Therapeutic Potential0.00
Investment Level0.00
Urgency0.60
Landscape Score0.00
Composite Score 0.684

Linked Targets (3)

SIRT1 NAD-dependent protein deacetylase sirtuin-1 PDB:4KXQ0.46
🧬 View 3D Structure — PDB 4KXQ click to expand

Powered by Mol* via PDBe | Rotate: click+drag | Zoom: scroll

PARP1 Poly [ADP-ribose] polymerase 1 PDB:4DQY0.66
🧬 View 3D Structure — PDB 4DQY click to expand

Powered by Mol* via PDBe | Rotate: click+drag | Zoom: scroll

NAMPT Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase PDB:2GVJ0.54
🧬 View 3D Structure — PDB 2GVJ click to expand

Powered by Mol* via PDBe | Rotate: click+drag | Zoom: scroll

Detected Targets:
PARP1

3D Protein Structure

View 3D structure: PARP1 — PDB 4DQY

Experimental structure from RCSB PDB | Powered by Mol* | Rotate: click+drag | Zoom: scroll

Landscape analysis not yet run for this challenge. Run the landscape analyzer to get competitive intelligence.

Linked Hypotheses (1)

PARP1-NAD+-AIF bioenergetic collapse drives a self-amplifying parthanatos loop PARP1; AIFM1; NAMPT; NMNAT1/2/0.76