Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s Disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that occurs when cells in an area of the brain called the substantia nigra begin to malfunction and die. These are the cells that produce the chemical messenger dopamine, which sends information between nerve cells in the brain to produce smooth, coordinated movement. Although exact cause of Parkinson’s Disease is in most cases unknown, it has been linked to genetic mutations, trauma, and toxins. The Parkin gene was discovered on human chromosome 6 and is associated with an early onset form of autosomal recessive juvenile Parkinson’s Disease. The function of this gene product is currently unknown, but it is speculated that this protein may function in the control of cell growth, differentiation and development. Lewy bodies are also often present, with α-Synuclein as their major component. There are a number of key proteins correlated to the progression of Parkinson’s Disease and Millipore has a comprehensive set of research antibodies available.