Gut protein may protect brain cells in Parkinson’s Disease
Nearly 10 million people worldwide suffer from Parkinson’s Disease (PD), a condition causing muscle rigidity and tremors due to the loss of the chemical dopamine in the brain. One cause of PD is exposure to toxins. In a recent study, Scott A. Waldman, MD, PhD, and his team discovered that a gut receptor protein called GUCY2C could prevent PD development by protecting against brain damage and toxic insult. Dr. Waldman’s team has been studying GUCY2C, for years. It’s generally known for its role in water and salt secretion in the gut. However, GUCY2C is also produced in the brain. Previously, the team removed GUCY2C from gut cells in mice and saw an increase in the expression of genes associated with PD. “That’s when we made that leap from the gut to the brain,” says Dr. Waldman. “If we removed GUCY2C…

