Mitochondrial lipids as potential targets in early onset Parkinson's disease

(VIB (the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)) A team of researchers led by Patrik Verstreken have identified an underlying mechanism in early onset Parkinson's. Using flies, mice and patient cells, the team focused on cardiolipin, a fat unique to cells' mitochondria, organelles that produce energy. They demonstrated that reducing the effects of the protein FASN influences the mitochondria, leading to increased cardiolipin levels and reduced Parkinson's symptoms. These results could pave the way to therapies for Parkinson's disease that target lipids.

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-02/vfi-mla021017.php

Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - February 10, 2017 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news