Scientists have discovered a link between blood cells and Parkinson’s disease. This finding may contribute to future treatments for PD patients.
“…The researchers discovered that the activity of three genes that control the synthesis of heme, the major component of hemoglobin that allows red blood cells to carry oxygen, precisely matched the activity of the alpha-synuclein gene, suggesting a common switch controlling both. The scientists then found a protein called GATA-1 which turns on the blood related genes was also a major switch for alpha-synuclein expression, and that it induced a significant increase in alpha-synuclein protein. Finally, they demonstrated that a related protein - GATA-2 - was expressed in PD-vulnerable brain cells and directly controlled alpha-synuclein production.”
According to one of the scientists, discovering how the GATA factors work provides insight into the biology of Parkinson’s disease. This new knowledge may even prompt scientists to design new treatment that monitors alpha-synuclein levels and keeps them within normal range. Scientists have focused on getting rid of bad proteins in the brain. Now they will be able to approach the problem from another angle. This will help them search for new therapies that lower the alpha-synuclein production up front.
“This discovery of the link between GATA proteins and the alpha-synuclein gene is like finding a long-sought-after molecular switch," says one scientist.
Important research such as this brings scientists one step closer to a cure for Parkinson’s disease. To read more about this exciting breakthrough, read this article.