Parkinson’s disease is a devastating neurodegenerative brain disorder that slowly robs people of their ability to control their movement. Research up until now has identified that both damage and the loss of neurons producing the neurotransmitter dopamine produce the symptoms seen in those with Parkinson’s. Dopamine is responsible for sending movement cues to the body; therefore, gradual reduction of these neurotransmitter levels increases the severity of Parkinson’s over time. However, the mechanism as to how and why these crucial neurons die over time has continued to remain obscure. Recently, a groundbreaking study from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute has identified and observed a key protein linked to Parkinson’s development.
The researchers studied the role and function of a protein called PINK1 and how it is crucial in maintaining energy levels in neurons. Using various techniques, the team analyzed the structure of the protein and from that pieced together the activation process of PINK1. Once activated, PINK1 was found to work with other proteins in the neuron to identify and remove damaged mitochondria. This process is critical to ensuring that there is an ample number of active mitochondria present to meet the energy demands of the neurons.
The loss of PINK1 leads to a build-up of damaged and dead mitochondria in the neuron, which is toxic to the cell. Furthermore, it prevents the building blocks needed to make new mitochondria from being recycled, reducing the overall number of active and functional mitochondria. Over time, this leads to an energy crisis as the neurons do not have enough active mitochondria to meet their metabolic demands, resulting in neuron cell death. As more neurons continue to die, the overall dopamine levels produced in the brain drop, resulting in the development and acceleration of Parkinson’s disease.
This research study is a groundbreaking paper that provides answers to decades-long questions surrounding Parkinson’s disease development. As of right now, there is no cure for this disease, and treatment options are limited in their efficacy. However, with this information, the door opens for the development and testing of treatment methods that can target the source of the problem, hopefully leading to the creation of a disease-modifying treatment.
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