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Article: Parkinson's-linked mutation makes neurons vulnerable to calcium-induced death.
- Article from:
- Pharma Business Week
- Article date:
- March 30, 2009
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A new study reveals the mechanism by which a genetic mutation linked with Parkinson's disease (PD) renders dopamine neurons particularly vulnerable to cell injury and death. The research is published by Cell Press in the March 13th issue of the journal Molecular Cell (see also Research).
PD is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by a specific loss of dopamine neurons. Several genes have been linked with inherited forms of PD. Many of these genes encode proteins that are targeted to mitochondria, tiny intracellular "power plants" that metabolize oxygen and generate energy. Mitochondria also play a major role in maintaining appropriate calcium levels inside ...