Scientists have finally fixed the protein, which is the main cause of Parkinson’s disease. The protein known as Pink1 has been associated with disease for decades, but its structure and how to restore it has remained elusive up until now.
When functioning properly, Pink1 plays an important role in the cell recycling process. Proteins are detected and collected on the surface when energy production structures called mitochondria are damaged. Pink1 allows signals from other proteins that help remove broken proteins, allowing new components to grow in their locations.
Unfortunately, mutations in Pink1 disrupt this process, causing damaged mitochondria to accumulate in the cells, eventually killing them. This effect is particularly pronounced in highly energy-hungry cells, such as brain cells, causing the gradual degeneration seen in Parkinson’s disease.
The role of Pink 1 in Parkinson’s disease has long been known, but frustratingly, the structure of the protein and how it attaches to mitochondria remains a mystery. It makes the disease difficult to treat. Now, researchers at Wehi in Australia were able to image the structure of Pink1, first attached to mitochondria, using cryoelectron microscopy for the first time.
“This is the first time we’ve seen human Pink1 docked onto the surface of damaged mitochondria, and we discovered an incredible protein that acts as a docking site.” “We’ve never seen how it exists in people with Parkinson’s disease.
The proteins that make up the so-called docking sites are an important part of the puzzle that has been missing up to now. They provide many potential targets that help reactivate the Pink1 protein, allowing them to do their job properly again.
“Our structure reveals many new ways to change Pink1 and essentially turns it on. This is life-changing for people with Parkinson’s disease,” says Professor David Komander, author of the study. “This is an important milestone for Parkinson’s disease research. It’s incredible to look at Pink1 at the end and understand how it binds to mitochondria.”
The next step is to find a drug that can use this new information to revert Pink1. This can slow or stop the progression of Parkinson’s disease.
This study was published in Journal Science.
Source: Wehi via Eurekalert
