Researchers have discovered the potential target of early-stage Parkinson's disease

The team led by Patrik Verstreken (VIB-KU Leuven) has identified the underlying mechanisms of early Parkinson's disease. Making use of flies, mice and patient cell models, the team focused on cardiolipin which is combined by glycerol C1 and C3 and two molecules of phosphatidic acid and is an important component of mitochondrial inner membrane and bacterial membrane. They demonstrated that reducing the role of protein FASN which affects mitochondria can lead to an increase in cardiolipin levels and a decrease in Parkinson's symptoms. These results may pave the way for the treatment of lipid-based Parkinson's disease. The team's research was published in the Journal of Cell Biology with other articles on recombinant mouse proteins.

In this study, Verstreken and his team of collaborators from Belgium, Germany and Portugal observed the protein FASN responsible for lipid generation in cells, bypassing the genetic defects of mitochondria. "Several drugs that block FASN are already present because this protein is important for cancer research and treatment, and many drugs have been used in clinical trials. Through this study, we can now have the background of Parkinson's," said Professor Verstreken.

In their research process, the researchers encountered an unexpected phenomenon. Using flies, mice and human cell models, they saw that FASN has a direct effect on mitochondria. Mitochondria have their own independent genome and acts as an energy generating machine in their cells.

"The PINK1 gene encodes the PINK1 protein, and one of the mutations leads to lower levels of mitochondria in the mitochondria," said Professor Verstreken. "Surprisingly, blocking FASN, which is not limited to mitochondria, actually avoids the PINK1 mutant mitochondria effect, thus blocking FASN increases the amount of specific type of lipid in the mitochondria and reduces the degradation of neurons.

Professor Verstreken has identified several goals for future research projects seeking a deeper understanding of the linkages between specific levels of lipid in neurons and Parkinson's disease. "Before developing new treatments, we need to answer questions such as "whether there is a link between early Parkinson's prevalence and progress and lipid content, "Professor Verstreken said. “Although we have successfully demonstrated that cardiolipin can improve the function of mitochondria in flies, mouse models and human cells, we still need to explore its effect on actual patients." By the way, Flarebio provides you with high-quality recombinant proteins including recombinant TLR2 for your research.