The study published in the journal 'Scientific Reports,' demonstrates the role of protein-
alpha-synuclein in preventing the death of neurons in brain diseases such as Parkinson's.
When aggregated in the brain,
alpha-synuclein is a pathological hallmark of Parkinsonian conditions and it is considered an important biologic target for treating these neurodegenerative diseases, the company said.
"
Alpha-synuclein is a normal protein that all of us have," said Mehra.
Trojanowski's research focuses on neurodegeneration and has led to the novel view that major disease-related proteins including Tau,
alpha-synuclein and TDP-43, are co-deposited in most neurodegenerative diseases and how these copathologies impact the clinical representation of these diseases.
Masliah, "Beta-Synuclein inhibits
alpha-synuclein aggregation: a possible role as an anti-parkinsonian factor," Neuron, vol.
Ingelsson, "
Alpha-synuclein oligomers--neurotoxic molecules in Parkinson's disease and other Lewy body disorders," Frontiers in Neuroscience, vol.
Perhaps Corynebacterium in the GI tract induces expression of
alpha-synuclein protein, a major component of PD Lewy bodies that's known to travel from the gut to the brain.
The researchers found that cardiolipin -- a molecule inside nerve cells -- helps ensure that a protein called
alpha-synuclein folds properly.
One of the hallmarks of Parkinson's disease is an amyloid formation of a particular human protein, called
alpha-synuclein.
Alpha-synuclein is even sometimes referred to as the 'Parkinson's protein'.
Alpha-synuclein is a protein that is mis-folded and aggregates in PD, potentially driving disease progression.