Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative condition defined by the degeneration of a specific group of neurons known as dopaminergic neurons.

The degeneration of these neurons inhibits the transmission of signals that govern particular muscle movements, resulting in tremors, involuntary muscular spasms, and balance issues that are typical of this condition.

Using the fruit fly as a model, a team from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) studied the degradation of these dopaminergic neurons.

Detection of Parkinson’s disease

(Photo : Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels)

The researchers discovered a critical protein in flies and mice that protects against this illness and might be a potential therapeutic target.

This research was published in the journal Nature Communications, as cited by ScienceDaily.

Aside from uncommon variations involving a single gene, the majority of Parkinson’s cases are caused by a combination of genetic and environmental risk variables.

A common factor in the start of the disease, however, is a mitochondrial malfunction in dopaminergic neurons.

These microscopic factories within cells are in charge of not only producing energy but also of triggering the cell’s self-destruct mechanisms when they are damaged.

After Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease is the second most frequent degenerative illness in France. It is distinguished by three major motor symptoms that allow the diagnosis to be made.

First and foremost, there is akinesia, which occurs when an individual feels delayed in carrying out and coordinating his motions.

Then there’s hypertonia, which is muscular rigidity that isn’t typical. Finally, there are tremors that mostly affect the hands and arms.

So far, medications have slowed the disease’s course, but none have cured it. As a result, screening as soon as feasible is critical since it enables early therapy to begin.

Also Read: This Protein Could Help in Treating Neurodegenerative Diseases

Neuron protection

The fruit fly, or Drosophila, is being used in the laboratory of Emi Nagoshi, Professor in the Department of Genetics and Evolution at the UNIGE Faculty of Science, to explore the causes of dopaminergic neuron degeneration, as per Vaughan Today.

Her research group is particularly interested in the Fer2 gene, whose human equivalent encodes proteins that leads to the activation of many other proteins and those whose alteration may result in Parkinson’s disease via processes that are still unknown.

Previous research has demonstrated that a mutation in the Fer2 gene can generate symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease in flies.

They specifically mention mitochondrial dysfunction. These are organelles present in cells that provide energy and cellular respiration, making them critical for neuronal health.

They also discovered that Fer2 regulates genes that are mostly engaged in mitochondrial processes.

According to Federico Miozzo, a researcher in the Department of Genetics and Evolution and the study’s first author, this key protein appears to play an important role against the degenerative process in flies by attempting to control not just the structure of mitochondria but also their functional areas.

More iron to protect the brain against oxidative stress

They wondered whether increasing the quantity of Fer2 in cells – without the mutation – may have a protective impact in their latest investigation.

As a result, scientists put flies in an environment that produces oxidative stress on dopaminergic neurons.

According to Futura Science, oxidative stress is described as an assault on cells by reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Normally, antioxidant molecules eliminate ROS, but their synthesis is impaired in the presence of oxidative stress, thus ROS may readily harm our neurons.

Finally, oxidative stress can lead to the death of neurons.

Related article: Scientists Discover a Common Thread That Causes Neurodegenerative Disease