Laboratory Equipment

Purdue Univ. researchers revealed how a mutation in a protein shuts down a protective function needed to prevent the death of neurons in Parkinson’s disease, possibly opening the door to new drug strategies to treat the disorder.

Fred Regnier, a professor of chemistry, and Jean-Christophe Rochet, an associate professor of medicinal chemistry and molecular pharmacology, led the team that discovered how the protein DJ-1, which plays a significant role in protecting neurons from damage, is shut down by a subtle mutation. A substitution in one link of the chain of amino acids that makes up the protein renders it unable to be activated to protect neurons from the buildup of protein “aggregates,” or “clumps,” that lead to cell death in those with Parkinson’s disease.

Read more: http://www.laboratoryequipment.com/news-Mutated-Protein-Fails-to-Protect-Against-Parkinsons-022212.aspx