New chemical messenger that can protect against Parkinson’s disease discovered

Scientists have identified a new chemical messenger that plays a key role in protecting the brain against Parkinson's disease. 

Research carried out at the Medical Research Council Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit at the University of Dundee unearthed a new discovery about how the genes PINK1 and Parkin interact – a previous study found mutations in these genes are responsible for Parkinson's. 

The scientists discovered the PINK1 enzyme produces a novel chemical messenger molecule named 'phospho-ubiquitin'. This functions to directly switch on the Parkin enzyme, thus protecting the survival of brain cells.

Leader of the study Dr Miratul Muqit said research can now be carried out to find out whether low levels of phospho-ubiquitin are a common feature in people with Parkinson's. 

"The new data also suggests that it might be possible to develop drugs to better treat Parkinson's that can switch on the Parkin enzyme by mimicking phospho-ubiquitin," he added.