Researchers have identified a genetic ‘switch’ that may help prevent or delay the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.<\/p>\n
\nThe study showed that a gene called ATF4 plays a key role in Parkinson’s disease, acting as a ‘switch’ for genes that control mitochondrial metabolism for neuron health.<\/p>\n
When the expression of ATF4 is reduced in flies, expression of these mitochondrial genes drops.<\/p>\n
This drop results in dramatic locomotor defects, decreased lifespan, and dysfunctional mitochondria in the brain.<\/p>\n
“Interestingly, when we overexpressed these mitochondrial genes in fly models of Parkinson’s, mitochondrial function was re-established, and neuron loss was avoided,” said Miguel Martins from the University of Leicester in London.<\/p>\n
By discovering the gene networks that orchestrate this process, the researchers have singled out new therapeutic targets that could prevent neuron loss.<\/p>\n
Some forms of Parkinson’s are caused by mutations in the genes PINK1 and PARKIN.<\/p>\n
Fruit flies with mutations in these genes accumulate defective mitochondria and exhibit Parkinson’s-like changes, including loss of neurons, the researchers said.<\/p>\n
For the study, published in the journal Cell Death and Differentiation, the team used PINK1 and PARKIN mutant flies to search for other critical Parkinson’s genes and using a bioinformatics approach discovered that the ATF4 gene plays a key role.<\/p>\n
“Studying the roles of these genes in human neurons could lead to tailored interventions that could one day prevent or delay the neuronal loss seen in Parkinson’s,” Martins added.<\/p>\n
Previous studies have showed several genes that protect neurons in Parkinson’s disease, creating possibilities for new treatment options.\u2014IANS<\/p>\n
Image: IANS<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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