Research sheds new light on how genes cause Parkinson's

29 July 2010

New research published in the journal Nature reveals for the first time how a subtle variation in the LRRK2 gene causes the nerve cells affected in Parkinson's to stop working and die.

Changes in LRRK2 were first identified by Parkinson's UK-funded researchers in 2004.

LRRK2 is the most common genetic factor linked with Parkinson's but until now scientists didn’t know how changes in the gene caused the condition.

How changes in LRRK2 lead to nerve cell death

Researchers at Stanford University in the US used fruitflies to study how an altered version of LRRK2 behaves inside the nerve cells lost in the Parkinson’s brain.

They found that altered LRRK2 interferes with tiny molecules called microRNAs.

MicroRNAs play a vital role – fine-tuning the levels of different proteins inside cells. Problems with microRNAs seem to be involved in cancer, but this is the first time they have been identified as a key player in Parkinson's.

In this study the researchers found that LRRK2 disrupts 2 key microRNAs that control the production of proteins. LRRK2 interferes with the microRNAs, which means that cells overproduce certain proteins that ultimately triggers the nerve cells to die.

Crucially, the researchers also found that by boosting the levels of these 2 microRNAs they could cancel out the effects of LRRK2 and prevent nerve cell death.

Exciting potential for developing new treatments

Dr Kieran Breen, our Director of Research and Development, commented today in the Daily Telegraph:

"This breakthrough represents a significant step forward towards developing treatments that will actually stop the process of nerve cell death - something no current treatments can do.

"Working out how subtle genetic changes affect nerve cells is one of the biggest challenges for Parkinson's. This discovery sheds new light on the fundamental causes of Parkinson’s and will bring us closer to a cure."

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