This web page was produced as an assignment for Genetics 677, an undergraduate course at UW-Madison.
A Review of Communication Breakdown
The Neuro at McGill University (2)
The popular press article Communication Breakdown: What Happens to Nerve Cells in Parkinson’s Disease describes a study linking defects in the parkin gene to Parkinson’s Disease (PD). The story is published in ScienceDaily.com and highlights the findings of a scientific study done by researchers at McGill University. The article begins by emphasizing the prevalence and effects that PD has on patients. Because the study was done in Canada, the author provides demographical data that pertains specifically to Canadians. The article mentions the link between mutations in the parkin gene to the inherited form of PD, which sets the precedent for the importance of the research done by Dr. Edward Fon in learning about the molecular mechanisms of parkin. Dr. Fon’s research found that parkin binds to a protein called endophilin-A, which is thought to play a role in the formation and recycling of the synaptic vesicles that carry neurotransmitters such as dopamine between neurons. Therefore, researchers speculated that a mutation in parkin could lead to a defect in synaptic transmission via its interaction with endophilin-A. The next study Dr. Fon plans to develop will look into the binding interactions between endophilin-A and parkin in both its wild type and mutated form. The article concludes with hopes that Dr. Fon’s research will lead to new therapeutic strategies to cure PD.
References
1. McGill University (2010, February 10). Communication breakdown: What happens to nerve cells in Parkinson's disease. ScienceDaily. Retrieved February 22, 2010, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100209200803.htm
2. Retreived February 22, 2010. flickr.com/photos/rezmutt/2499300511/
2. Retreived February 22, 2010. flickr.com/photos/rezmutt/2499300511/
