PET PET
  • My Account
  • Subscribe
Become a Friend Donate
  • About Us
    • People
    • Press Office
    • Our History
  • Get Involved
    • Become a Friend of PET
    • Volunteer
    • Campaigns
    • Writing Scheme
    • Partnership and Sponsorship
    • Advertise with Us
  • Donate
    • Become a Friend of PET
  • BioNews
    • News
    • Comment
    • Reviews
    • Elsewhere
    • Topics
    • Glossary
    • Newsletters
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Previous Events
  • Engagement
    • Policy and Projects
      • Resources
    • Education
  • Jobs & Opportunities
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
    • People
    • Press Office
    • Our History
  • Get Involved
    • Become a Friend of PET
    • Volunteer
    • Campaigns
    • Writing Scheme
    • Partnership and Sponsorship
    • Advertise with Us
  • Donate
    • Become a Friend of PET
  • BioNews
    • News
    • Comment
    • Reviews
    • Elsewhere
    • Topics
    • Glossary
    • Newsletters
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Previous Events
  • Engagement
    • Policy and Projects
      • Resources
    • Education
  • Jobs & Opportunities
  • Contact Us
  • My Account
  • Subscribe
  • Privacy Statement
  • Advertising Policy
  • Thanks and Acknowledgements
PETBioNewsNewsEffects of common Parkinson's gene reversed in fruit flies

BioNews

Effects of common Parkinson's gene reversed in fruit flies

Published 17 October 2014 posted in News and appears in BioNews 776

Author

Dr Vikki Burchell

Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the output from a DNA sequencing machine.
CC BY 4.0
Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the sequencing output from an automated DNA sequencing machine.

A drug can reverse the effects of two Parkinson's disease-causing mutations in fruit flies, a study reports...

A drug can reverse the effects of two Parkinson's
disease-causing mutations in fruit flies, a study reports.

Parkinson's disease does not always have an obvious cause,
but in some cases it runs in families and can be traced to a mutation in a
specific gene, such as LRRK2.

Researchers have now shown that two mutations in LRRK2
interfere with the system by which proteins and cellular structures are transported
within neuron cells. They were able to counteract this effect on the transport
system using drugs called deacetylase inhibitors, both in rat neurons, and in
fruit flies expressing mutant LRRK2. These flies exhibit impaired flight and
climbing abilities akin to the movement impairment seen in patients with
Parkinson's disease.

'By targeting the transport system with drugs, we could not
only prevent movement problems, but also fully restore movement abilities in
fruit flies who already showed impaired movement, ' said Dr Alex Whitworth, one
of the lead authors at the University of Sheffield.

The study, which was published in the journal Nature
Communications, builds on prior reports that mutant LRRK2 binds to
microtubules, the cell's transport tracks.

The study was partly funded by Parkinson's UK. Dr Beckie
Port, research communications officer, said: 'This research gives hope that,
for people with a particular mutation in their genes, it may one day be
possible to intervene and stop the progression of Parkinson's.'

However, both she and the researchers stressed that any
therapeutic implications of the study remain some way off.

'These are very promising results which point to a potential
Parkinson's therapy. However, further studies are needed to confirm that this
rescue effect also applies in humans,' said lead author Dr Kurt De Vos of the
Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience.

Dr Port said: 'The study has only been carried out in fruit
flies, so much more research is needed before we know if these findings could
lead to new treatment approaches for people with Parkinson's.'

Related Articles

Image by Sílvia Ferreira, Cristina Lopo and Eileen Gentleman via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts a single human stem cell embedded within a porous hydrogel matrix (false colour).
CC BY 4.0
Image by Sílvia Ferreira, Cristina Lopo and Eileen Gentleman via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts a single human stem cell embedded within a porous hydrogel matrix (false-coloured cryogenic scanning electron micrograph).
News
12 September 2017 • 2 minutes read

Stem cells restore neurons in monkey model of Parkinson's disease

by Dr Caroline Casey

Neurons derived from human stem cells have successfully been used to treat and relieve symptoms of Parkinson's disease in a primate animal model...

Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the output from a DNA sequencing machine.
CC BY 4.0
Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the sequencing output from an automated DNA sequencing machine.
News
5 December 2016 • 1 minute read

Early-onset Parkinson's gene identified

by Dr Lone Hørlyck

Researchers have identified a gene linked to early-onset Parkinson's disease...

Image by K Hardy via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts a human embryo at the blastocyst stage (about six days after fertilisation) 'hatching' out of the zona pellucida.
CC BY 4.0
Image by K Hardy via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts a human embryo at the blastocyst stage (about six days after fertilisation) 'hatching' out of the zona pellucida.
News
7 November 2014 • 2 minutes read

Stem cell therapy for Parkinson's restores dopamine in rats

by Rhys Baker

Researchers have reversed the effects of Parkinson's disease in rats, using human embryonic stem cells...

Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the output from a DNA sequencing machine.
CC BY 4.0
Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the sequencing output from an automated DNA sequencing machine.
News
15 September 2014 • 2 minutes read

Activated gene extends life by a third - in fruit flies

by Ari Haque

Activating a single gene can slow the ageing process and considerably extend life, scientists have discovered...

Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the output from a DNA sequencing machine.
CC BY 4.0
Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the sequencing output from an automated DNA sequencing machine.
News
10 January 2014 • 3 minutes read

Gene therapy promising in Parkinson's patients

by Dr Kimberley Bryon-Dodd

Patients in a clinical trial to treat Parkinson's disease with a form of gene therapy have showed signs of significant improvements in their motor-function, according to a report published in the Lancet...

Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the output from a DNA sequencing machine.
CC BY 4.0
Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the sequencing output from an automated DNA sequencing machine.
News
29 November 2013 • 2 minutes read

Genetics and pesticide exposure 'double hit' might underlie Parkinson's for some

by Matthew Thomas

People with a particular genetic mutation may face greater risks of developing Parkinson's disease if exposed to certain pesticides, according to scientists...

Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the output from a DNA sequencing machine.
CC BY 4.0
Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the sequencing output from an automated DNA sequencing machine.
News
25 March 2013 • 2 minutes read

Study counters Parkinson's disease gene theory

by Helen Brooks

An experimental approach to treating Parkinson's disease may need to be reconsidered following evidence suggesting that it may make patients worse...

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

« Vision restored in embryonic stem cell therapy patients

Data-Label The UK's Leading Supplier Of Medical Labels & Asset Labels

RetiringDentist.co.uk The UK's Leading M&A Company.

Find out how you can advertise here
easyfundraising
amazon

This month in BioNews

  • Popular
  • Recent
8 August 2022 • 2 minutes read

Placenta and organ formation observed in mouse embryo models

8 August 2022 • 2 minutes read

Lower hormone doses may improve IVF egg quality

8 August 2022 • 2 minutes read

Boosting muscle cell production of gene therapy proteins

1 August 2022 • 2 minutes read

First UK medical guidelines issued for trans fertility preservation

1 August 2022 • 2 minutes read

Male age has more impact on IVF birth rate than previously thought

8 August 2022 • 2 minutes read

Placenta and organ formation observed in mouse embryo models

8 August 2022 • 2 minutes read

Complex structures of the human heart bioengineered

8 August 2022 • 1 minute read

Brain tumour gene also linked to childhood cancers

8 August 2022 • 2 minutes read

Lower hormone doses may improve IVF egg quality

8 August 2022 • 2 minutes read

Boosting muscle cell production of gene therapy proteins

Subscribe to BioNews and other PET updates for free.

Subscribe
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • RSS
Wellcome
Website redevelopment supported by Wellcome.

Website by Impact Media Impact Media

  • Privacy Statement
  • Advertising Policy
  • Thanks and Acknowledgements

© 1992 - 2022 Progress Educational Trust. All rights reserved.

Limited company registered in England and Wales no 07405980 • Registered charity no 1139856

Subscribe to BioNews and other PET updates for free.

Subscribe
PET PET

PET is an independent charity that improves choices for people affected by infertility and genetic conditions.

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • RSS
Wellcome
Website redevelopment supported by Wellcome.

Navigation

  • About Us
  • Get Involved
  • Donate
  • BioNews
  • Events
  • Engagement
  • Jobs & Opportunities
  • Contact Us

BioNews

  • News
  • Comment
  • Reviews
  • Elsewhere
  • Topics
  • Glossary
  • Newsletters

Other

  • My Account
  • Subscribe

Website by Impact Media Impact Media

  • Privacy Statement
  • Advertising Policy
  • Thanks and Acknowledgements

© 1992 - 2022 Progress Educational Trust. All rights reserved.

Limited company registered in England and Wales no 07405980 • Registered charity no 1139856