Australian researchers have achieved a significant breakthrough in understanding Parkinson’s disease by solving a mystery that has persisted for decades. Scientists at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI) have successfully observed and characterised a crucial protein associated with this debilitating condition—PINK1.
PINK1 plays a vital role in cellular survival by recognising damaged mitochondria and signalling for their removal. In healthy individuals, when mitochondria are compromised, PINK1 accumulates on their membranes, using a small protein called ubiquitin to tag these damaged organelles for degradation. However, in patients with mutations in the PINK1 gene, these essential cellular processes break down, leading to the accumulation of toxic materials and the eventual death of brain cells—an issue that is particularly detrimental in Parkinson’s cases.
Historically, while the connection between PINK1 and Parkinson’s, especially in Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease, was recognised, researchers struggled to visualise the protein and clarify its mechanisms. This lack of understanding hindered the development of drug therapies targeting PINK1, despite its potential as a therapeutic focus.
This new research is poised to advance drug discovery aimed at slowing or halting the progression of Parkinson’s disease in individuals with PINK1 mutations. Parkinson’s disease is insidious, often taking years, and even decades, to diagnose. It’s not only marked by tremors but can also present nearly 40 different symptoms, including cognitive decline, speech difficulties, and vision problems.
In Australia alone, over 200,000 individuals live with Parkinson’s disease, with approximately 10 to 20 per cent diagnosed before the age of fifty. The disease’s impact on the economy and healthcare systems is profound, costing more than $10 billion annually.
According to Professor David Komander, the study’s lead author, this development is a crucial milestone in Parkinson’s research. The ability to see and understand how PINK1 interacts with mitochondria opens new pathways for medical interventions that could be transformative for those affected by this relentless condition.