Differential activity of glucocerebrosidase in neurons and astrocytes; implications for evaluating tissue homogenates derived from Parkinson‘s disease brains

Loss of lysosomal glucocerebrosidase (GBA1) activity is a risk factor for developing Parkinson's disease (PD). Whilst GBA1 mutations conveying risk have been characterised, loss of brain enzyme activity has also been reported in brain homogenates derived from patients with idiopathic PD [1]. Currently, the mechanism for this apparent reduction in activity is not known. Since PD is characterised by loss of dopaminergic neurons [2], we considered the possibility that the likely resultant alteration in the glial: neuronal ratio in affected brain regions may be an important factor to consider, i.e.

from Journal of the Neurological Sciences https://ift.tt/3iADyKp