
A diagram showing a mitochondrion of the eukaryotic cell. Mitochondria are organelles surrounded by membranes, distributed in the cytosol of most eukaryotic cells. Its main function is the conversion of potential energy of pyruvate molecules into ATP. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Scientists have discovered that an active ingredient in an over-the-counter skin cream slows or stops the effects of Parkinson’s disease on brain cells.
The active ingredient in an over-the-counter skin cream might do more than prevent wrinkles. Scientists have discovered that the drug, called kinetin, also slows or stops the effects of Parkinson’s disease on brain cells.
Scientists identified the link through biochemical and cellular studies, but the research team is now testing the drug in animal models of Parkinson’s. The research is published in the August 15, 2013 issue of the journal Cell.
“Kinetin is a great molecule to pursue because it’s already sold in drugstores as a topical anti-wrinkle cream,” says HHMI investigator Kevan Shokat of the University of California, San Francisco. “So it’s a drug we know has been in people and is safe.”
Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative disease that causes the death of neurons in the brain. Initially, the disease affects one’s movement and causes tremors, difficulty walking, and slurred speech. Later stages of the disease can cause dementia and broader health problems. In 2004, researchers studying an Italian family with a high prevalence of early-onset Parkinson’s disease discovered mutations in a protein called PINK1 associated with the inherited form of the disease.
Since then, studies have shown that PINK1 normally wedges into the membrane of damaged mitochondria inside cells that causes another protein, Parkin, to be recruited to the mitochondria, which are organelles responsible for energy generation. Neurons require high levels of energy production, therefore when mitochondrial damage occurs, it can lead to neuronal death. However, when Parkin is present on damaged mitochondria, studding the mitochondrial surface, the cell is able to survive the damage. In people who inherit mutations in PINK1, however, Parkin is never recruited to the organelles, leading to more frequent neuronal death than usual.
Shokat and his colleagues wanted to develop a way to turn on or crank up PINK1 activity, therefore preventing an excess of cell death, in those with inherited Parkinson’s disease. But turning on activity of a mutant enzyme is typically more difficult than blocking activity of an overactive version.
“When we started this project, we really thought that there would be no conceivable way to make something that directly turns on the enzyme,” says Shokat. “For any enzyme we know that causes a disease, we have ways to make inhibitors but no real ways to turn up activity.”
His team expected it would have to find a less direct way to mimic the activity of PINK1 and recruit Parkin. In the hopes of more fully understanding how PINK1 works, they began investigating how PINK1 binds to ATP, the energy molecule that normally turns it on. In one test, instead of adding ATP to the enzymes, they added different ATP analogues, versions of ATP with altered chemical groups that slightly change its shape. Scientists typically must engineer new versions of proteins to be able to accept these analogs, since they don’t fit into the typical ATP binding site. But to Shokat’s surprise, one of the analogs—kinetin triphosphate, or KTP—turned on the activity of not only normal PINK1, but also the mutated version, which doesn’t bind ATP.
“This drug does something that chemically we just never thought was possible,” says Shokat. “But it goes to show that if you find the right key for the right lock, you’ll be able to open the door.”
To test whether the binding of KTP to PINK1 led to the same consequences as the usual ATP binding, Shokat’s group measured the activity of PINK1 directly, as well as the downstream consequences of this activity, including the amount of Parkin recruited to the mitochondrial surface, and the levels of cell death. Adding the precursor of KTP, kinetin, to cells—both those with PINK1 mutations and those with normal physiology—amplified the activity of PINK1, increased the level of Parkin on damaged mitochondria, and decreased levels of neuron death, they found.
“What we have here is a case where the molecular target has been shown to be important to Parkinson’s in human genetic studies,” says Shokat. “And now we have a drug that specifically acts on this target and reverses the cellular causes of the disease.”
The Latest Bing News on:
Parkinson’s Disease
- EXCERPT: 'Kill Shot' Probes Shadow Industry, Deadly Diseaseon February 24, 2021 at 7:53 pm
In this excerpt, Dr. Rachel Smith, a disease investigator with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, is looking into a mysterious cluster of deaths in Tennessee. Smith and her ...
- Britain WON'T have to 'learn to live with Covid' because current crop of vaccines could stamp disease out to measles-like levels, top SAGE expert sayson February 24, 2021 at 8:28 am
Sage member Professor Devi Sridhar of the Univeristy of Edinburgh said Covid vaccines should mean the UK does not have 'live with the virus' as other experts have predicted.
- Global Rare Disease Market is estimated to be US$ 547.5 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 13.1% during the forecast period - by PMIon February 24, 2021 at 7:39 am
Global Rare Disease Market accounted for US$ 161.4 billion in 2020 and is estimated to be US$ 547.5 billion by 2030 and is anticipated to register a CAGR of 13.1%. Rare disease is any disease that ...
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Enormous Burden for Patientson February 23, 2021 at 9:07 pm
In the years 2015 and 2016, U.S. adults with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) used significantly more health services than their non-IBD counterparts, according to the National Center for Health ...
- Basic cell health systems wear down in Huntington's disease, novel analysis showson February 23, 2021 at 1:46 am
Using an innovative computational approach to analyze vast brain cell gene expression datasets, researchers at MIT and Sorbonne Université have found that Huntington's disease may progress to advanced ...
- Newronika Announces CE Mark Approval for AlphaDBS™ System for Parkinson's Diseaseon February 23, 2021 at 12:27 am
Newronika, a spin-off of the world-class neurological research center Policlinico of Milan and University of Milan, announced today it received CE Mark approval for its AlphaDBS System.
- Common Prostate Drug May Help Prevent Parkinson'son February 8, 2021 at 6:19 pm
MONDAY, Feb. 8, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- While scientists still don't know what causes Parkinson's disease, new research shows an association between a drug that some men take for an enlarged ...
- Using a smartwatch to help detect the progression of Parkinson's diseaseon February 3, 2021 at 4:00 pm
Parkinson's disease is a progressive disease impacting the nervous system. As basal ganglia in the brain degenerate, people with the disease begin to experience tremors, muscle problems and ...
- Prostate drug, terazosin, may significantly bring down the risk of Parkinson’s disease in menon February 2, 2021 at 9:16 am
According to experts, you may not be able to prevent Parkinson’s disease, but you can delay its progression by adopting healthy lifestyle habits. Parkinson’s disease is a progressively ...
- Healthy Eating Could Delay Onset of Parkinson'son January 27, 2021 at 12:10 am
TUESDAY, Jan. 26, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- While researchers continue to try to find the key that unlocks the cause of Parkinson's disease, new research suggests that what a person eats could make ...
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Parkinson’s Disease
The Latest Bing News on:
Kinetin
- Benefits of Coconut Water for Skin: How to Get That Dewy Glowon February 18, 2021 at 4:00 pm
reduce wrinkles and fine lines increase skin hydration and elasticity increase collagen production give skin a visible “glow” “Coconut water is composed of a phytohormone called kinetin ...
- Skin care products Market Growth with leading players Unilever Plc., Shiseido Company Ltd., Johnson & Johnson Inc., Procter & Gamble Co.on February 18, 2021 at 4:09 am
For instance, Revlon Inc. launched a series of Almay Kinetin Skincare Advanced Anti-Aging products in 2017. Moreover, skin care products provide nutrition required for the skin, whereas products ...
- 5 Promising New Skin Creamson February 2, 2021 at 4:23 pm
Four years ago, Prevage launched the first skincare product with idebenone, an antioxidant that has outdone the competition (vitamins C and E, kinetin) in some independent tests. The company has now ...
- Vitamins & Supplements Centeron August 16, 2020 at 1:05 pm
Considering taking a vitamin or supplement to treat Aging Skin? Below is a list of common natural remedies used to treat or reduce the symptoms of Aging Skin. Follow the links to read common uses ...
- Sector Expert: Frederick Lacyon August 13, 2020 at 12:26 am
Other investments include 3D holographic display technology, early mobile applications, power conversion, along with multiple consumer health-related products: Canadian Glacier bottled water, Kinetin ...
- Vol. 42, No. 10, Oct., 1967on July 21, 2017 at 11:56 pm
1315-1320) Senescence: Action of Auxin and Kinetin in Control of RNA and Protein Synthesis in Subcellular Fractions of Bean Endocarp Senescence: Action of Auxin and Kinetin in Control of RNA and ...
- Pollinating Sprays for Vegetable Gardenson May 27, 2015 at 6:35 am
These sprays contain kinetin, a variety of the cytokinin hormone. Kinetin is a synthetic compound that fosters cytokinesis or cell division. Pollinating sprays cause fruit to develop even when the ...
- Vitamins & Supplements Centeron April 10, 2014 at 7:46 am
Considering taking a vitamin or supplement to treat Rosacea? Below is a list of common natural remedies used to treat or reduce the symptoms of Rosacea. Follow the links to read common uses, side ...
- The Secret to Beautiful, Line-Free Handson February 1, 2011 at 11:56 am
"If cold weather makes your hands dry and flaky, try using a lotion with a poly- or alpha hydroxy acid to lightly exfoliate the skin, and a hand cream with kinetin to even out skin tone and texture," ...