Einstein researchers discover important clue to the cause of Parkinson's disease

January 2, 2008
A glitch in the mechanism by which cells recycle damaged components may trigger Parkinson’s disease, according to a study by scientists at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University. The research, which appears in the January 2 advance online issue of The Journal of Clinical Investigation, could lead to new strategies for treating Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.



http://www.physorg.com/news118519594.html

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Controlling the fate of cells
July 13, 2009

Dr Jon Lane and colleagues in the University of Bristol’s Department of Biochemistry have shown for the first time that the protein Atg4D can exist in two forms. In its original form, Atg4D promotes cell survival through ‘autophagy’, a survival mechanism used by cells to overcome various environmental stresses, including starvation, and to control normal cellular processes such as growth and development
In a modified form, Atg4D can attach to the power units of the cell - the mitochondria - to stimulate cell death via ‘apoptosis’. Their research is reported in the July issue of the Journal of Cell Science.


http://www.physorg.com/news166719345.html