Viral infections may trigger molecular changes linked to Parkinson's, finds CCMB study

Hyderabad, Sep 29 (UNI) A study by researchers at the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, has shed light on how RNA virus infections such as Influenza and COVID-19 may trigger molecular changes associated with neurodegeneration. Published in Cell Reports by Dr Swasti Raychaudhuri's laboratory, the study explores the molecular link between viral infections and Parkinson's disease. Researchers found that RNA viruses form specialised structures called RNA G-quadruplexes (rG4s), which can bind to α-Synuclein, a protein associated with Parkinson's, and accelerate the formation of amyloid aggregates. The study also identified a cellular defence mechanism involving the helicase protein…