Identification of a Protein-Interaction
Network within the Manganese-affected and Non-affected Molecular
Pathways of Parkinson’s Disease
Mabel N. Abraham, St. John’s
University Student
Marc E. Gillespie, Department of
Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Allied Health
Professions
Abstract: Parkinson’s disease is a
neurodegenerative disease affecting almost a million people in the
United States. Close to 50% of neuronal death, specifically the
dopaminergic neurons, occurs before patients are diagnosed with the
disease, due to the decline of motor activity. Only post-mortem
studies can confirm the presence of Lewy bodies and plaque
formation that is characteristic in those with the disease. No
specific diagnostic or clinical tests exist as a definitive measure
of the presence or severity of the disease. There is a great need
for biomarkers indicative of Parkinson’s and other similar
neurodegenerative diseases. Biomarkers benefit clinicians to make
early diagnosis and treatment possible. Cause and effect is
extremely challenging to assign even now after two decades of
research. The disease involves not only neurologic pathology but
also psychological deficits that may easily be misinterpreted for
other neurologic illness. The knowledge of molecular pathways will
add to our greater understanding of the pathogenesis of the
disease. The environmental hazard of exposure Manganese(Mn) can
similarly result in irreversible brain disease characterized by
extrapyramidal signs and symptoms resembling Parkinson’s disease.
Mn-induced parkinsonism is referred to as ‘manganism.’ The data
attained with use of toxicoproteomic tools, such as the
yeast-two-hybrid screen and microarray will assist researchers in
understanding the disease process, of both Manganism and
Parkinson’s. The possibility the two disease protein interaction
networks may overlap has great potential for identifying possible
targets for drug discovery.