A protein called PERK may be a target for treating progressive supranuclear palsy

PSP belongs to a group of neurological diseases referred to as "tauopathies." In these diseases, a molecule called "tau" forms clumps rather than stabilizing the cytoskeleton as it normally does. Affected neurons can degenerate or even perish. To prevent such events, pathological molecules are normally repaired or disposed of by the organism. The protein PERK is part of such a maintenance system. However, in PSP, this mechanism appears to be defective. In previous studies, Höglinger and his colleagues had found that the risk for PSP is associated with variants at the PERK gene, and that loss of PERK function induces tau pathology in humans. For the current study, they examined the functioning of this protein more closely, to see how its effects could be positively influenced. To this end, they investigated samples of brain tissue from deceased patients, cell cultures and mice with a genetic disposition for PSP.

"We found that the disease sequelae decrease when PERK is activated with pharmaceuticals. That is to say: when its effect is enhanced," says Höglinger, who leads a research group at the DZNE's Munich site. "These results are still basic research and far from being ready for use in patients. However, our investigations show that PERK is an important part of the disease mechanism. Therefore, the protein could be a starting point for the development of new drugs."

Höglinger also sees potential for tackling diseases other than PSP. This is because PERK helps eliminate abnormal tau molecules, and these also occur in other brain diseases. "These results could have a broad relevance. Because defective tau molecules play an important role especially in Alzheimer's disease," the researcher says.