{"id":3955,"date":"2024-08-21T21:53:09","date_gmt":"2024-08-21T21:53:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/?p=3955"},"modified":"2024-10-16T21:22:50","modified_gmt":"2024-10-16T21:22:50","slug":"breakthrough-study-identifies-enzyme-key-to-combatting-parkinsons-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/breakthrough-study-identifies-enzyme-key-to-combatting-parkinsons-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"Breakthrough Study Identifies Enzyme Key to Combatting Parkinson&#8217;s Disease"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-blockquote uagb-block-e7eb3fc3 uagb-blockquote__skin-border uagb-blockquote__stack-img-none\"><blockquote class=\"uagb-blockquote\"><div class=\"uagb-blockquote__content\">A groundbreaking study revealed that boosting the enzyme PGK1 can protect neurons from energy deficits that lead to Parkinson&#8217;s disease, promising new paths for treatment.<\/div><footer><div class=\"uagb-blockquote__author-wrap uagb-blockquote__author-at-left\"><\/div><\/footer><\/blockquote><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-space-between is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-b0ffac9c wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\"><div style=\"font-size:16px\" class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-post-author\"><div class=\"wp-block-post-author__content\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-author__name\">The University Network<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share uagb-social-share__outer-wrap uagb-social-share__layout-horizontal uagb-block-ee584a31\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-ec619ce7\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"facebook\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M504 256C504 119 393 8 256 8S8 119 8 256c0 123.8 90.69 226.4 209.3 245V327.7h-63V256h63v-54.64c0-62.15 37-96.48 93.67-96.48 27.14 0 55.52 4.84 55.52 4.84v61h-31.28c-30.8 0-40.41 19.12-40.41 38.73V256h68.78l-11 71.69h-57.78V501C413.3 482.4 504 379.8 504 256z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-32d99934\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/share?url=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"twitter\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M389.2 48h70.6L305.6 224.2 487 464H345L233.7 318.6 106.5 464H35.8L200.7 275.5 26.8 48H172.4L272.9 180.9 389.2 48zM364.4 421.8h39.1L151.1 88h-42L364.4 421.8z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-1d136f14\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?url=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"linkedin\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M416 32H31.9C14.3 32 0 46.5 0 64.3v383.4C0 465.5 14.3 480 31.9 480H416c17.6 0 32-14.5 32-32.3V64.3c0-17.8-14.4-32.3-32-32.3zM135.4 416H69V202.2h66.5V416zm-33.2-243c-21.3 0-38.5-17.3-38.5-38.5S80.9 96 102.2 96c21.2 0 38.5 17.3 38.5 38.5 0 21.3-17.2 38.5-38.5 38.5zm282.1 243h-66.4V312c0-24.8-.5-56.7-34.5-56.7-34.6 0-39.9 27-39.9 54.9V416h-66.4V202.2h63.7v29.2h.9c8.9-16.8 30.6-34.5 62.9-34.5 67.2 0 79.7 44.3 79.7 101.9V416z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An enzyme called PGK1 has been identified as a crucial player in producing chemical energy within brain cells, as indicated by a preclinical study spearheaded by the robust research team at Weill Cornell Medicine. This discovery introduces new hopeful avenues for resisting the energy deficits that frequently culminate in Parkinson\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.science.org\/doi\/10.1126\/sciadv.adn6016\" title=\"\">Published<\/a> in Science Advances, the findings suggest that PGK1 is a &#8220;rate-limiting&#8221; enzyme in energy generation in the axons of dopamine neurons, which are notably impacted by Parkinson&#8217;s. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOur findings show that PGK1 can really make a big difference in Parkinson\u2019s disease, in ways we didn&#8217;t anticipate,\u201d Timothy Ryan, the senior author of the study, said in a <a href=\"https:\/\/news.weill.cornell.edu\/news\/2024\/08\/the-role-of-an-energy-producing-enzyme-in-treating-parkinson%E2%80%99s-disease\" title=\"\">news release<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ryan, who is the Tri-Institutional Professor of Biochemistry and a professor of biochemistry in anesthesiology at Weill Cornell Medicine, is optimistic about the potential for new treatments stemming from this research. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019m very optimistic that this line of research has the potential to generate new Parkinson\u2019s treatments,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Parkinson\u2019s affects around 1 million Americans and stands as the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder following Alzheimer\u2019s. The disease principally targets dopamine-producing neurons, gradually weakening their synapses and ultimately leading to neuronal death. The resulting symptoms include movement disorders, sleep disturbances and progressive dementia. Although current therapies manage symptoms, none can halt the disease&#8217;s progression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For years, researchers have suspected that disruptions in neuronal energy supply play a role in Parkinson\u2019s, given the high energy needs of the affected neurons. However, until now, an effective energy-related target for treatments has remained elusive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Intriguingly, the spotlight on PGK1 emerged from earlier studies showing that the FDA-approved drug terazosin, used to treat prostate conditions, also enhances PGK1&#8217;s energy-production capabilities. This drug had shown beneficial effects in various animal models of Parkinson\u2019s, yet its mechanism wasn&#8217;t fully understood. A retrospective human study also indicated that terazosin substantially reduces the risk of developing Parkinson\u2019s, bolstering its potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite this, skepticism lingered among pharmaceutical companies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cPharma companies have been skeptical that this weak enhancement of PGK1 can explain these benefits in Parkinson\u2019s models,\u201d added Ryan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The new study, led by Ryan\u2019s team, utilized sensitive assays to decode PGK1\u2019s vital role as an energy producer in neurons. Their research revealed that even minimal PGK1 activity enhancement could maintain axonal functionality, especially under low-glucose conditions linked to known Parkinson\u2019s gene mutations. This underlines PGK1&#8217;s profound impact in mitigating energy deficits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Moreover, the team unearthed a novel role for the protein DJ-1, known for its protective function against harmful protein aggregation in neurons. Surprisingly, DJ-1 also acts in tandem with PGK1, providing essential support for PGK1\u2019s energy-supplying roles. This revelation underscores the complexity and potential of targeting PGK1 in Parkinson\u2019s treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>An enzyme called PGK1 has been identified as a crucial player in producing chemical energy within brain cells, as indicated by a preclinical study spearheaded by the robust research team at Weill Cornell Medicine. This discovery introduces new hopeful avenues for resisting the energy deficits that frequently culminate in Parkinson\u2019s disease. Published in Science Advances, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"single-no-separators","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3955","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-health"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"The University Network","author_link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/author\/funky_junkie\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"An enzyme called PGK1 has been identified as a crucial player in producing chemical energy within brain cells, as indicated by a preclinical study spearheaded by the robust research team at Weill Cornell Medicine. This discovery introduces new hopeful avenues for resisting the energy deficits that frequently culminate in Parkinson\u2019s disease. Published in Science Advances,&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3955","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3955"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3955\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3983,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3955\/revisions\/3983"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3955"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3955"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3955"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}