Novus Biologicals products are now on bio-techne.com

Parkinson's disease

PINK1 - performing mitochondrial quality control and protecting against Parkinson’s disease

PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) is a serine/threonine kinase with important functions in mitochondrial quality control. Together with the Parkin protein, PINK1 is able to regulate the selective degradation of damaged mitochondria through autophagy. Normally PINK1 is imported into the mitochondria where it is targeted for proteolytic cleavage. This cleavage event results in unstable products and is the reason PINK1 is difficult to detect in healthy mitochondria.

Beta III tubulin

The Beta III tubulin protein is abundantly present in both the central and peripheral nervous systems (CNS and PNS), where it is predominantly expressed during fetal and postnatal development. In cerebellar and sympathoadrenal neurogenesis, Beta III distribution is neuron-associated and present in distinct temporal-spatial gradients that are dictated by the regional neuroepithelia of origin.

PINK1 and its role in Parkinson's disease

PINK1 (PTEN induced putative kinase 1) is a mitochondrial serine/threonine kinase which maintains mitochondrial function/integrity, provides protection against mitochondrial dysfunction during cellular stress, potentially by phosphorylating mitochondrial proteins, and is involved in the clearance of damaged mitochondria via selective autophagy (mitophagy).

Tyrosine Hydroxylase Deficiencies and Neurodegeneration

PINK1: Promoting Organelle Stability and Preventing Parkinson's disease

PINK1 is a protein serine/threonine kinase (PTK) that protects the organelles from cellular stress and controls selective autophagy to clear damage. Exner, et al. were among the first to report that PINK1 deficiency in humans was linked to autosomal recessive occurrences of Parkinson's disease (PD) and neurogenerative pathology (1).

Park7/DJ-1: A Reliable Biomarker for Parkinson's Disease?

The product of the Parkinson's disease 7 (Park7/DJ-1) gene belongs to the peptidase C56 family of proteins and appears to have two transcriptional variants. It is a positive regulator of androgen receptor-dependent transcription, and some evidence suggests it may also function as a redox-sensitive chaperone and sensor for oxidative stress. It apparently protects neurons against oxidative stress and cell death. Defects in the Park7 gene result in the autosomal recessive form of early-onset Parkinson’s disease.

Parkinson's Disease Infographic

Parkinson's disease affects the nervous system which controls movement. Damage to the levels of dopamine in the brain impairs the ability to relay messages to parts of the body which control movement. While the exact cause of the disease is unknown, researchers are examining genetic causes linked to the LRRK2 gene and environmental factors.

Parkinson's disease infographic

Resources:

PINK1: Promoting Organelle Stability and Preventing Parkinson's disease

PINK1 is a protein serine/threonine kinase (PTK) that protects the organelles from cellular stress and controls selective autophagy to clear damage. Exner, et. al. were among the first to report that PINK1 deficiency in humans was linked to autosomal recessive occurrences of Parkinson's disease (PD) and neurogenerative pathology (1).

Understanding Neurodegeneration through Alpha Synuclein and Synucleinopathies

Alpha-synuclein is an abundant presynaptic protein expressed predominantly in brain, concentrated in presynaptic nerve terminals. Alpha-synuclein is deposited as fibrillary aggregates in neurons or glial cells which is a hallmark lesion in a subset of neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson's disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and multiple system atrophy (all collectively referred to as synucleinopathies).

Estrogen Related Receptors Play Roles in Cancer and Neurodegeneration