Newswise — The aberrant buildup of misfolded proteins is a hallmark of a host of disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Aggregates of these toxic proteins wreak havoc on the function of cells, tissues, and organs, and despite intensive research over many decades, there are still no effective means to remove or to prevent their accumulation in humans.
One promising strategy to achieve this may someday come from an unexpected source—a common class of drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction.
In a recent study, scientists at Harvard Medical School have identified a new mechanism for activating the cell’s protein quality-control system and improving its ability to dispose of misfolded proteins, including ones known to cause neurodegenerative diseases.
Reporting in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in June,…
