Mitochondrial Malfunction Related to Parkinson's, Perhaps

Researchers at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital in Canada have found evidence that links Parkinson's genes to the functionality of the mitochondria, according to embo, a website that collects life science research.  Parkinson's is a disease in which the central nervous system degenerates.

PINK1 helps protect the mitochondria during times of high stress, or low oxygen, while the Parkin gene (in the non-mutant form) helps target proteins for degradation.

The picture, found in the abstract on embo, shows the hypothesis proposed: these genes usually regulate the degradation of proteins, but when they malfunction, as in the mutant forms associated with Parkinson's, the proteins build up in the mitochondria and cause malfunction.

This could have implications for treating Parkinson's, and suggests that if this is indeed the source of the disease, perhaps a regulatory chemical (drug) could be used to slow or stop the progression, or even the onset of Parkinson's. Perhaps.