Study: Newly Identified Protein May Protect Against Alzheimer's Disease

A newly identified protein may protect against Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders.

As reported May 30 in the Journal of Biological Chemistry (JBC), researchers discovered that a naturally occurring protein they called "heat shock protein 27 (HSP27)" reduced cell death in areas of the brain affected by neurological disorders.

Study author Jacqueline de Belleroche, of Imperial College and Charing Cross Hospital in London, said the discovery of the beneficial effects of this protein could slow the Alzheimer's disease process.

The researchers identified the protein and its benefits in mice that had high levels of HSP27 throughout their brain, spinal cord and other tissues. HSP27 was found to reduce the death of neuron cells in a region of the brain affected by neurological diseases. Similar results were also obtained when HSP27 was injected directly into the brain.

"Eventually it may be possible to use a drug to increase levels of HSP27 in the brain which could be given to those suffering from neuro-degenerative diseases," said Belleroche.

HSPs are present in all cells in all life forms. The researchers said HSPs act like "chaperones" to make sure the cell's proteins are in the right place and shape at the right time.