Researchers develop a molecule that may slow Parkinson's disease

Date: Feb-26-2015New research suggests it may be possible to slow the progression of

Parkinson's disease using a man-made peptide that stops the formation of faulty

protein fibrils that kill the brain cells that produce dopamine.

Parkinson's is caused by the loss of dopamine cells in the brain.

Estimates suggest up to 10 million people worldwide are living with Parkinson's

disease - a progressive neurological disorder caused by the loss of brain cells that

release dopamine, a chemical that is important for conveying messages that

control movement.

The main reason behind the death of dopamine-producing cells in patients

with Parkinson's disease is thought to be a fault in a common cell protein

called α-synuclein. When faulty, the protein forms the wrong shape and clumps into

long toxic fibrils that stop the cells functioning properly.

As Parkinson's disease progresses, the symptoms - which include tremor, stiffness,

slowness and impaired balance - gradually worsen and patients find it increasingly

difficult to walk, talk and take care of themselves.

While one or two early-stage studies are showing promising results, there is

currently no cure for Parkinson's disease, although there are drugs that can bring

dramatic relief from symptoms.

Now, a new study - funded by Parkinson's UK and led by the University of Bath in

the UK - shows how a peptide they designed may offer a way to slow the progression

of Parkinson's disease.

A peptide is a chain of amino acids. A chain of several peptides is a

protein.

In this study, the researchers found that their peptide sticks to misshapen α-

synuclein and stops it stacking into the fibrils that kill off the dopamine

cells.

The peptide matches a region of α-synuclein that is mutated in Parkinson's

To make their peptide - which comprises 10 amino acids - the team searched a

library of peptides for candidates that match the region of α-synuclein that is

mutated in patients with early-onset Parkinson's.

Study leader Dr. Jody Mason, from the Department of Biology & Biochemistry at

Bath, explains how their peptide works:

"If you think of the misshapen α-synuclein proteins as Lego bricks

which stack to form a tower; our peptide acts like a smooth brick that sticks to the

α-synuclein and stops the tower from growing any bigger."

The researchers believe their study is the first to look at this part of α-synuclein as a potential drug target.

Dr. Mason says their work is still in the early stages, but they are encouraged

by the results they have achieved so far. They hope their study heralds a new

approach to the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

He and his colleagues now plan to test the peptide in mammal brain cells and then

start the process of developing it into a drug that can be used in humans.

In their paper, the team notes that the technique may also apply to other

neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease, which also arises as a result of

misshapen proteins clumping together in the brain.

Meanwhile, Medical News Today recently learned that the first trial to

test the effect of a  growth-factor compound in

humans with Parkinson's disease has shown promising results. The trial,

conducted in 12 patients with Parkinson's disease, showed that the growth factor

PDGF was not only safe and well tolerated, but it may also have some regenerative

effects.

Written by Catharine Paddock PhD

Courtesy: Medical News Today Note: Any medical information available in this news section is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional.