Enzyme helps to destroy mutated protein associated with Parkinson's

26 Jun 2009 - Posted by the Editorial Team

A naturally-occurring enzyme in the brain has been discovered which helps to destroy the most common cause of inherited Parkinson's disease.

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center, US, found that the enzyme contributes to the annihilation of a mutated protein.

Dr Matthew Goldberg, the study's senior author and an assistant professor of neurology and psychiatry, said that "enormous efforts" are underway in terms of developing new therapies which target the protein.

"Our paper is a major advance because we identify a protein that binds to the mutated protein and promotes its breakdown," he commented.

The function of the protein, known as LRRK2, is not particularly well understood, although it appears to have multiple sites which other molecules can attach themselves to.

It has several mutations, some of which can contribute to the onset of Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's affects around one person in every 500, with most patients being over the age of 40.

By the age of 80, more than two people in every 100 will have developed the disease.

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