Researchers have discovered how a conserved protein — found in both yeast and humans — helps cells break down alpha-synuclein, the toxic protein that accumulates in Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia. Alpha-synuclein becomes especially dangerous when chemically modified at a specific site (serine 129), making it harder for cells to clear. This research focuses on restoring proteostasis — the cell's ability to manage protein quality — by enhancing lysosomal degradation pathways. The findings suggest that boosting this natural clearance mechanism could slow or prevent the neurodegeneration underlying Parkinson's, a disease affecting millions globally with no current disease-modifying treatment.
