Researchers from Flanders and Italy have developed a strategy to restore the function of an enzyme that is impaired in Parkinson’s disease. In an article published in Nature Communications, they demonstrate how antibody fragments can bind to the enzyme in the correct location to stabilise it and enhance its activity.

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative condition that causes a deterioration in motor skills. This results in tremors, movement difficulties and balance problems. Although ten million people worldwide suffer from the disease, there is still no cure, and the cause remains unknown in many cases. However, it is clear that mutations of the enzyme glucocerebrosidase (GCase), which breaks down specific lipids, play an important role in the disease. Disruption to the enzyme’s function causes waste products to continuously accumulate in cells, increasing the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.