In the cells of the human brain, toxic clusters may be formed by the excess deposition of calcium. The clusters are a major warning sign of Parkinson’s disease. At the University of Cambridge, researchers have discovered how calcium acts an intermediary between small membranous structures that interact with each other. These structures are present within nerve endings and regulate the signaling of neurons in the human brain.
The researchers found that a protein named alpha-synuclein is strongly related to the development of Parkinson’s disease. When the concentration of calcium or alpha-synuclein becomes abnormal in the human brain, a chain reaction is triggered and many brain cells die immediately.
In the scientific journal Nature, latest research studies present the vivid pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease. In the UK, one out of every 350 adults has Parkinson’s disease. As per global estimates, 145,000 are estimated to have developed this disease, which remains incurable till date.
Parkinson’s disease is one of the most common neurodegenerative disease, which is caused under the following conditions: proteins that occur naturally get transformed into wrongly shaped molecules, and they stick with the remaining proteins.
They eventually form a thin structure that resembles a filament, and they are known as amyloid fibrils. These deposits of amyloid are basically aggregated forms of alpha-synuclein. They are also known as Lewy bodies. The appearance of Lewy bodies is considered to be one of the warning signs of Parkinson’s disease.
The exact role and function of alpha-synuclein in brain cells has not been understood till date. Alpha-synuclein is found to be play a pivotal role in various biological processes, ensuring that the chemical signals flow smoothly into the human brain and the molecules move in and out of the nerve endings; however, the exact behavior of these protein remains unclear till date.
The structure of the protein alpha-synuclein is very small, and its functional capacity depends on its interaction with other protein molecules or structures. Therefore, it is very difficult to investigate these protein structures.
The behavior of alpha-synuclein can be determined within brain cells by using the technique of super-resolution microscopy. For this purpose, researchers isolated synaptic vesicles that form a part of nerve cells, which store neurotransmitters and send signals to different nerve cells.
The release of neurotransmitters in neurons depends on the concentration of calcium levels. Calcium levels can increase in nerve cells, such as in neuronal signaling processes.
The protein alpha-synuclein would bind at multiple points of synaptic vesicles, and these vesicles could come into contact with each other. This indicates how alpha-synuclein ensures that information flows across nerve cells through the chemical transmission pathway.
Calcium regulates the pathways of alpha-synuclein protein, which has an interaction with synaptic vesicles. The protein alpha-synuclein acts like a calcium sensor. Owing to calcium, the structure of protein alpha-synuclein and its interaction with environment changes drastically. This seems to be very essential for the normal functioning of the protein alpha-synuclein.
Both calcium and the protein alpha-synuclein seem to be perfectly balanced in the brain cells. Whenever the concentration of these exceeds normal levels, there is an imbalance and this leads to the process of aggregation. This leads to the development of Parkinson’s disease.
In this study, the researchers created an imbalance by genetically doubling the concentration of alpha-synuclein, which is a protein used for the duplication of genes. This slowing mechanism is related to ageing process, and excess protein molecules undergo a breakdown due to this process.
By increasing calcium levels in neurons, the researchers controlled the secretion of the protein alpha-synuclein. This protein is sensitive to the development of Parkinson’s disease. In these neurons, calcium does not really act as a buffer.
Scientists need to understand what role does alpha-synuclein play in various physiological or pathological processes. This will help them in developing new treatment methods for Parkinson’s disease can be developed strategically. Calcium levels can be blocked with the development of novel drug candidates, which are used in the pathogenesis of heart diseases. Moreover, they can also combat Parkinson’s disease.