Scientists Decode Key Protein Linked to Parkinson's Disease

Breakthrough discovery reveals structure and activation of PINK1 protein, offering hope for new treatments to slow disease progression.

Researchers at Australia's WEHI Parkinson's Disease Research Centre have unveiled the structure of the PINK1 protein, a breakthrough decades in the making.
PINK1, a protein linked to Parkinson's, plays a critical role in detecting and removing damaged mitochondria, a process that malfunctions in the disease.
The study, published in *Science*, outlines how PINK1 attaches to mitochondria and signals for their recycling, shedding light on mutations that contribute to Parkinson's onset.
This discovery could accelerate the development of drugs aimed at targeting PINK1 to slow or halt the progression of Parkinson's, which currently lacks curative treatments.
Parkinson's disease affects over 10 million people globally and is the fastest-growing neurodegenerative condition, with symptoms ranging from tremors to cognitive decline.