SGK1 Protects Brain cells   against Parkinson’s Disease

Researchers have discovered a gene that may protect patients at high-risk of Parkinson’s disease.The LRRK2 gene is recognized as a significant risk factor for inherited Parkinson’s disease. In fact the most common cause of inherited Parkinson’s.

 It was discovered that patients who had the LRRK2 mutation have longer disease duration but experience less severe symptoms. This suggests that the gene mutation may be associated with slower disease progression. In 1997 that the first gene associated with the disease was identified.Serum glucocorticoid regulated kinase 1(SGK1) protects against a high risk leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) mutation of Parkinson’s disease.This provide valuable insight into the development of drugs that could protect brain cells from Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.

The over expression of SGK1 provides neuron protection in both cell culture and in animal models. It decreases reactive oxygen species generation and alleviates mitochondrial dysfunction. SGK1 protects brain cells by blocking several pathways involved in neurodegeneration, deactivating other molecules known as JNK, GSK3β and MKK4.

Increasing SGK1 offers a potential therapeutic strategy because, as the study makes clear, there isn’t enough naturally occurring SGK1 to do the job. Even though the levels of naturally occurring SGK1 increases in the cell under stress, it was not enough to promote cell survival in neurodegeneration. Cell survival mechanisms tend to dominate when more SGK1 is added to the neurons.

The SGK1 discovery, while still in the early stage, is a promising outcome of this unique research platform, and holds potential to inform a therapeutic approach for Parkinson’s.