Fatal protein interactions may explain neurological diseases

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Molecular modeling of hybrid 945-syn (alpha-syn) (white) and Abeta (orange) oligomer in plasma membrane of affected neuron. Image: UCSD
Molecular modeling of hybrid α-syn (alpha-syn) (white) and Abeta (orange) oligomer in plasma membrane of affected neuron. Image: UCSD
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In a collaborative study at the University of California, San Diego, investigators from neurosciences, chemistry and medicine, as well as the San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) have investigated how proteins involved in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease interact to form unique complexes. Their findings explain why Alzheimer's patients might develop Parkinson's, and vice versa. The new and unique molecular structures they discovered can now be used to model and develop new drugs for these devastating neurological diseases. Their findings will be published in the September 3 issue of Public Library of Science (PLoS) ONE on September 4, 2008.


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