New Insights into Huntington’s Disease: Mapping Protein Clumps

Description

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a progressive neurological disorder characterized by the deterioration and death of specific brain cells. The disease is caused by a mutated form of the huntingtin protein, which leads to the formation of abnormal protein clumps. Until recently, the exact structure of these clumps remained unknown. However, a groundbreaking study published in Nature Communications has shed new light on the intricate details of these protein clumps, opening doors to better diagnostics and potential treatments. The study, led by Patrick van der Wel, Professor of Solid State NMR Spectroscopy at the University of Groningen, Netherlands, provides a comprehensive understanding of the unique structure of huntingtin protein clumps in HD. These clumps, known as fibrils, are elongated shapes that differ significantly from those found in other fibril-induced diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.