Study IDs Parkinson gene's MO

DENVER, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Researchers said they have discovered how a gene that is key to Parkinson's disease can keep brain cells alive.

The findings suggest the potential for new drugs that might regulate the gene and protect Parkinson's patients from further cell damage, said the University of Colorado at Denver researchers and scientists at Health Sciences Center's School of Medicine.

"Our research shows how a genetic cause of Parkinson's disease works," said Curt Freed, professor and division head of clinical pharmacology and toxicology at the CU School of Medicine and co-author of the study. "We show how the normal function of the gene keeps dopamine cells from dying. If the gene is abnormal, these protective mechanisms cannot be brought into play."

Results of the study will be published in the Dec. 30 issue of the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

The researchers found that over-expressing the gene in dopamine cells can protect the cells from different kinds of chemical stress, showing that the gene plays a pivotal role in keeping dopamine cells healthy. The authors point out that if the cells are subjected to oxidative stress, then the DJ-1 gene turns on the production of the antioxidant peptide, glutathione. When acting in this way, the DJ-1 protein can also modify itself and absorb the damage caused by oxidative stress, thus protecting other important cellular function in the process.

However, if damaged proteins are accumulating and harming the cells, then DJ-1 turns on the production of a different protein called Hsp70 to help clean up the abnormal proteins, the researchers noted.

Parkinson's disease occurs when dopamine cells in the brain die or are damaged, making it increasingly difficult for the brain to transmit motor messages to the body.