Researchers find that an enzyme can stop protein tangles from forming in brain tissue, which could block Alzheimer's disease.

One of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease, according to post-mortem studies, is the formation of fibrous tangles in brain tissue. These tangles are formed of a protein called tau and have been an intense focus of research interest in recent years.

Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School now report on an enzyme called Pin 1, which can prevent the formation of tangles in the brain. They first of all examined levels of Pin1 in patients with brain degeneration and healthy people. Those with low levels of Pin1 were most likely to suffer brain damage.

They also looked at 'knockout' mice, which lack the gene for Pin1. These animals soon began to show signs of neurodegeneration. This all suggests that Pin1 is important in protecting brain tissue from Alzheimer-related damage. Therapies based upon Pin1 might be effective in preventing or treating the disease.

Source

Nature 31st July 2003