Vigorous, physical activity has long been known to slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease in humans. However, the mechanisms in which the benefits manifests itself is still not clearly understood. Researchers from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus have now found that the strenuous activity of exercise itself plays a role in the accumulation of the neuronal protein alpha-synuclein, a long-standing player in the progression of Parkinson’s disease.
Researchers found that mice who were given a running wheel at 12 months of age showed marked improvement in both cognitive function and movement. Researchers attribute this improvement to the increase expression of DJ-1, a key protective gene, in both the brain and muscles. Furthermore, humans with mutations in this gene are guaranteed to get Parkinson’s in a severe form at a young age. Mice in the study with mutations in their DJ-1 gene showed decreased movement ability as well, linking DJ-1 protein to normal movement.
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