REGINA — New research conducted in a study, co-done by the University of Regina (U of R) has revealed how a rare genetic mutation found in Parkinson's disease (PD) can damage cells in the body.
U of R biochemist Dr. Mohan Babu and Dr. Ken Nakamura from the University of California conducted a test with mice carrying CHCHD2.
“There's clear-cut evidence of this specific mutation, rare mutations, in Parkinson's disease,” said Babu.
During their testing, the research team noticed the mice’s dopamine neurons showing early signs of trouble.
“Mitochondria became misshapen, the energy production falters, and the stress tends to build up inside the cells.”
Mitochondria are organelles within the cells which help produce most of it’s functions.
Stress inside cells led to the accumulation of α-synuclein, a protein found in the brain.
Babu explained α-synuclein is good for healthy people because it helps regulate the neurotransmitter release and manage the synaptic vesicles.
However, excessive amounts of α-synuclein can damage different parts of the body.
“It damages the neurons, it disrupts this synaptic transmission, damages mitochondria, interferes with protein degradation systems like proteasome or alpha-vegi and promotes oxidative stress.”
Babu also noted toxic α-synuclein can spread from cell to cell, ramping up the spreading of PD.
The research team also noticed molecular changes in the mice similar to those found in tissues of humans with PD.
“By 11 months into the study, the mice showed a clear surge in the oxidative sparks, which appeared before major dopamine loss of Parkinson-type protein changes set in.”
Further testing done by the team also revealed that the defective protein created by the mutation was no longer interacting with its usual molecular partners inside the cell.
With a new understanding of how PD can form inside the body, Babu said the next step is identifying drug targets to help stabilize the mitochondria or reduce oxidative stress.
Babu also suggested looking at ways to identify early biomarkers for changes in a person’s reactive oxygen species to understand better how those interactions occur.
In terms of more research, Babu wants to figure out why dopamine neurons are more vulnerable to CHCHD2.
As for finding an eventual cure for PD, Babu admitted that this will be a long process.
