Scientists have made a potentially “life -changing” discovery that could pave the way for new drugs to treat Parkinson's disease.
Experts have known for several decades that the Pink1 protein is directly linked to Parkinson's disease – the fastest growing neurodegenerative state in the world.
Until now, no one has seen what Human Pink1 looks like, how Pink1 adheres to the surface of damaged mitochondria in cells, or how it is activated.
But scientists have now discovered how the mutation hires and can use this knowledge to find a way to switch it off and to delay the progress of the condition.
Researchers from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkinson's Disease Research Center, in Australia, have solved mystery for decades.
The findings published in the magazine Science For the first time ever, discontinue the structure of Pink1 and how it binds to Mitochondria – the powerhouse of a cell – and prevents it from functioning well.
Parkinson's disease can take years, sometimes for decades to diagnose. Often associated with tremors, there are nearly 40 symptoms, including cognitive impairment, speech problems, regulation of body temperature and vision problems.
The neurological condition affects around 153,000 British. There is currently no cure for Parkinson's, although medicines, physiotherapy and surgery can help manage symptoms.
Some Parkinson's patients can take more than 20 tablets a day to manage their condition (PA)
One of the characteristics of Parkinson's is the death of brain cells. About 50 million cells die and are replaced every minute in the human body. But unlike other cells in the body, when brain cells die, the speed at which they are replaced is extremely low.
When mitochondria are damaged, they stop making energy and give toxins in the cell. With a healthy person, the damaged cells are removed in a process called mitopagia.
In a person with Parkinson's and a Pink1 mutation, the mitophagia process no longer functions correctly and toxins collect in the cell, which ultimately killed it. Brain cells need a lot of energy and are especially sensitive to this damage.
In particular, Pink1 has been associated with Parkinson's disease, which affects people under the age of 50. Despite the well -known link, researchers have previously unable to visualize the protein or how it works.
“This is an important milestone for research into Parkinson's. It is incredible to finally see Pink1 and to understand how it binds to Mitochondria, ”said Professor David Komander, corresponding author in the study.
“Our structure reveals many new ways to change Pink1, in essence, which will be life -changing for people with Parkinson's,” he added.
Main author of the study, Dr. Sylvie Callegari, Pink1 said in four different steps, with the first two steps that have not been seen before.
First, Pink1 feels mitochondrial damage. Then it adheres to damaged mitochondria. Once confirmed, it connects to a protein called Parkin, so that the damaged mitochondria can be recycled.
“This is the first time that we have seen Human Pink1 on the surface of damaged mitochondria who have discovered a remarkable range of proteins that act as the docking location. We also saw for the first time how mutations are present in people with Parkinson's disease influence on humans Pink1, “said Dr. Callegari.
The idea of using Pink1 as a target for potential drug therapies has long been recommended, but has not yet been reached because the structure of Pink1 and how it was attached to damaged mitochondria was unknown.
The research team hopes to use the knowledge to find a medicine to delay Parkinson's or to stop people with a Pink1 mutation.
Researchers in the UK also believe that the discovery can lead to a better design of drugs.
Consultant neurologist Dr. Richard Ellis said: “It is a crucial step to understand Pink1's impact in Parkinson's disease. These observations can hopefully create new opportunities for the development of new strategies for delaying the progress of Parkinson's disease. “
Dr. Zhi Yao, research scientist, Life Arc, said: “A robust understanding of these aspects can offer an important chance to accelerate the discovery of drugs for Parkinson's disease and possibly also other neurodegenerative disorders.”
Becky Jones, research communication manager at Parkinson's Parkinson's UK, said: “Changes in the Pink1 have long been linked to Parkinson's, and a specific mutation in the gene that contains the instructions for making the protein is known that it causes a rare inherited form of the disorder.
“It is encouraging to see this research that will help us understand how changes in Pink1 can cause damage to dopamine-producing brain cells in people with Parkinson's.
“This knowledge unlocks future ways for a better drug design and discovery of a treatment that can delay or even stop the progression of Parkinson's. This is of vital importance, because despite the fact that it is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world, we do not yet have any medicine treatments that can do this. “
