We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
PURITAN MEDICAL

Download Mobile App




Defects in Newly Identified Molecular Pathway Lead to Parkinson's Disease

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 16 Feb 2017
Print article
Image: Dopamine-making cells in a mouse brain (Photo courtesy of Sung-ung Kang, Johns Hopkins University).
Image: Dopamine-making cells in a mouse brain (Photo courtesy of Sung-ung Kang, Johns Hopkins University).
A molecular pathway has been traced that protects dopamine producing neurons and prevents Parkinson's disease, and this finding may pave the way for development of drugs to correct defects in this pathway in individuals who have the disease.

Previous work had demonstrated that mutations in the PINK1 (PTEN-induced putative kinase 1) gene and the parkin enzyme caused autosomal-recessive Parkinson’s disease through a common pathway involving mitochondrial quality control. Parkin inactivation was found to lead to accumulation of the PINK1 substrate, PARIS (Zinc Finger Protein 746, or parkin interacting substrate), which was shown to play an important role in dopamine cell loss.

In the current study, investigators at Johns Hopkins University found that PARIS linked PINK1 and parkin in a common pathway that regulated dopaminergic neuron survival. PINK1 interacted with and phosphorylated PARIS to control its ubiquitination and clearance for removal from the cell by parkin.

Results published in the January 24, 2016, online edition of the journal Cell Reports revealed that conditional knockdown of PINK1 in adult mouse brains led to a progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra region of the brain that was dependent on the resulting increase in levels of PARIS.

"Mutations in the genes for both Parkin and PINK1 have now been linked to Parkinson's disease," said senior author Dr. Ted Dawson, professor of neurology at Johns Hopkins University. "Parkin is a particularly big player that seems to be at fault in many inherited cases; it is also inactivated in sporadic cases of the disease. So a drug targeting PARIS could potentially help many patients."

Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
HLX
POCT Fluorescent Immunoassay Analyzer
FIA Go
Gold Member
Xylazine Immunoassay Test
Xylazine ELISA

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The study showed the blood-based cancer screening test detects 83% of people with colorectal cancer with specificity of 90% (Photo courtesy of Guardant Health)

Blood Test Shows 83% Accuracy for Detecting Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the second biggest cause of cancer deaths among adults in the U.S., with forecasts suggesting 53,010 people might die from it in 2024. While fewer older adults are dying from this... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The Gazelle Hb Variant Test (Photo courtesy of Hemex Health)

First Affordable and Rapid Test for Beta Thalassemia Demonstrates 99% Diagnostic Accuracy

Hemoglobin disorders rank as some of the most prevalent monogenic diseases globally. Among various hemoglobin disorders, beta thalassemia, a hereditary blood disorder, affects about 1.5% of the world's... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The new platform is designed to perform blood-based diagnoses of nontuberculosis mycobacteria (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

New Blood Test Cuts Diagnosis Time for Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Infections from Months to Hours

Breathing in nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is a common experience for many people. These bacteria are present in water systems, soil, and dust all over the world and usually don't cause any problems.... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: These new assays are being developed for use on the recently introduced DxI 9000 Immunoassay Analyzer (Photo courtesy of Beckman Coulter)

Beckman Coulter and Fujirebio Expand Partnership on Neurodegenerative Disease Diagnostics

Beckman Coulter Diagnostics (Brea, CA, USA) and Fujirebio Diagnostics (Tokyo, Japan) have expanded their partnership focused on the development, manufacturing and clinical adoption of neurodegenerative... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.