On April 10, Northwestern Medicine published a new study in the journal Science that explored the genetic factors influencing Parkinson's disease. Researchers used CRISPR interference technology to examine every human gene, identifying new genes associated with Parkinson's risk and potential new drug targets.
Dr. Dimitri Krainc, corresponding author, explained, "Our study reveals that a combination of genetic factors plays a role in the manifestation of diseases like Parkinson’s disease, which means that therapeutic targeting of several key pathways will have to be considered for such disorders."
The study found that a group of 16 proteins, called Commander, is integral to lysosomal function in cells. This discovery could lead to new treatments targeting these proteins. Dr. Krainc added, "This suggests that loss-of-function variants in these genes increase Parkinson’s disease risk."
The research underscores the importance of the Commander complex in maintaining healthy lysosomal function, and hints at new therapeutic possibilities. Krainc mentioned, "If Commander dysfunction is observed in these individuals, drugs that target Commander could hold broader therapeutic potential for treating disorders with lysosomal dysfunction."
The detailed study involved first co-authors Georgia Minakaki and Nathaniel Safren, as well as other notable contributors. It was supported financially by a Research Program Award (R35).