Sunday Times 2

By James Rush

A major breakthrough has been made by researchers seeking treatments for degenerative illnesses such as Parkinson’s Disease.
Researchers at the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology have detailed how an enzyme in the brain interacts with a drug-like lead compound for Huntington’s Disease to inhibit its activity.

The team said their findings demonstrate that it can be developed as an effective treatment for neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington’s, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Working with colleagues at the University of Leicester and the University of Lisbon in Portugal, the researchers identified the molecular structure of the enzyme kynurenine 3-monooxygense (KMO), which is found in the human brain.

It took five years for the team to establish the crystal structure of KMO – the first time it’s ever been done. The scientists, who published the research in the journal Nature, then studied how the compound UPF 648 binds tightly to the enzyme to act as an inhibitor.

Previous studies with animal models of neurodegenerative disease have showed that switching off the enzyme activity through drug binding should be effective in the treatment of brain disorders. Study leader Professor Nigel Scrutton said: ‘UPF 648 works very well as an inhibitor of enzyme activity.

‘However, in its current form it does not pass into the brain from the blood.  ‘The search is now on for related compounds that can both inhibit the enzyme and pass into the brain.’ He added: ‘Our research detailing the molecular structure of the enzyme now enables a search for new KMO inhibitors that are able to cross the blood-brain barrier.

‘This provides real hope for developing drug therapies to target neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington’s, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.’ Dr Flaviano Giorgini, the team’s neurogeneticist from the University of Leicester, said: ‘This is a big move

© Daily Mail, London

Follow @timesonlinelk

comments powered by Disqus

North Korea able to launch nuclear attack – Pentagon

Angelina Jolie brings star power to the G8 summit

Teeing off at edge of the Arctic? A Chinese plan baffles Iceland

‘Queen Thatcher is dead’

Bookmakers slash odds on Alexandra for UK royal baby name

Chinese officer accuses United States of secret biological attack

See-through brains promise to clear up mental mysteries

Fruit juice chocolate