New Metabolic Target Identified for Parkinson's Disease Treatment

Scientists have uncovered a crucial enzyme that contributes to the development of Parkinson's disease and demonstrated that inhibiting this enzyme can restore normal cellular function, paving the way for innovative therapies. The research, published in the journal Neuron, highlights how a protein called alpha-synuclein accumulates in the brain, forming harmful Lewy bodies that impair nerve cell function and lead to cell death. The body's natural process of autophagy, which clears such toxins, is disrupted in Parkinson's, allowing these protein aggregates to build up.

The study, led by Dr. Sung Min Son and Professor David Rubinsztein at the UK Dementia Research Institute, focused on the enzyme ACLY. They found that alpha-synuclein overactivates ACLY, which triggers a cascade of cellular disturbances that hinder autophagy and contribute to neurodegeneration. Through experiments on human cells, brain organoids, and animal models including zebrafish and mice, researchers confirmed that blocking ACLY normalized autophagy levels and decreased the accumulation of toxic alpha-synuclein.

Using ACLY inhibitors, some of which are existing compounds like hydroxycitrate (a weight-loss supplement) and potential anti-cancer drugs, the team successfully reduced alpha-synuclein toxicity in cellular and animal models. However, a major challenge remains: many of these compounds cannot cross the blood-brain barrier. Future research aims to develop ACLY inhibitors capable of entering the brain to provide a targeted treatment for Parkinson's.

Professor Rubinsztein emphasized that ACLY acts as a cellular switch triggering harmful pathways in Parkinson's disease. His team’s findings suggest that targeting ACLY could modify disease progression by addressing the underlying causes of nerve cell death, rather than just alleviating symptoms. This discovery opens new prospects for therapies aimed at halting or reversing Parkinson's progression.