Swiss researchers have found that a fruit fly gene may protect against neuron degeneration. An interesting track for the man.
What if the fly could help find a cure for Parkinson’s disease? This neurodegenerative disease is characterized by the destruction of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra of the brain. However, these neurons are involved in the control of movements. Their destruction causes tremors, involuntary muscle contractions or balance problems.
A team of scientists from the University of Geneva, in Switzerland, became interested in the mechanism of destruction of neurons. She looked into the case of the fruit fly, also called Drosophila. A previous study had shown that a mutation in the Fer2 gene causes Parkinson’s-type deficiencies in flies.
Increase the amount of Iron2
In this new study published in Nature, the researchers wanted to know if an increase in the amount of Iron2 in the cells could have a protective effect. They found that flies that overproduce Iron2 are no longer exposed to the deleterious effects of oxidative stress, responsible for the degradation of dopamine neurons.
Scientists now want to determine if the mechanisms are similar in mammals. “We are currently testing the protective role of the Fer2 homolog in mice and results similar to those observed in flies would make it possible to consider a new therapeutic target in patients with Parkinson’s disease”, concludes Emi Nagoshi , co-author of the study.
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