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Researchers at the Neurosciences Institute (Joint Council for Scientific Research, CSIC, and Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche) have discovered the role of omega-unsaturated fatty acids in the development of some degenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease. The work, published in Neuron, is the result of a collaboration
between United Kingdom, Germany, Russia, Slovenia and Spain.

The omega-unsaturated fatty acids are part of the lipids constituting the cell membranes and are released when these lipids are degraded. Known to be beneficial in the diet and have cardioprotective functions, although until now, when it has been shown to trigger neurotransmission, did not know what exactly his role in the nervous system.

The study, which has a duration of three years, shows how to interact with lipids (omega-unsaturated fatty acids) and proteins responsible for activating the neurosecrección neurotransmission. Luis Miguel Gutierrez, Institute of Neuroscience, Sant Joan d'Alacant, explains: "Until now it was believed that proteins were necessary for the lipids during the fusion of mixed membranes (lipids normally repel one another). Our work shows that some lipids facilitate fusion by interacting with specific proteins. It is a new mechanism that helps to understand the role of lipids and proteins during the merge and resolve discrepancies between scientific groups. They would understand that the omega-unsaturated fatty acids can facilitate neurotransmission and neuronal growth "

Two examples of how these lipids can affect neurodegenerative diseases. In patients Alhzeimer levels esfingomielina (producing esfingosina, an omega-unsaturated) are very disturbed, which can alter nerve transmission as the mechanism discovered. In other experiments have shown that a protein called sinucleina, joining other omega-unsaturated fatty acid (acid arquidónico), interferes with the role of this fatty acid activating neurosecrección. The levels of this protein are elevated in patients with Parkinson's.

"Thus, we have discovered the mechanism that may explain the role of certain proteins and fatty acids during the development of neurodegenerative diseases, opening new lines of research in studying the molecular mechanisms involved in these diseases," Gutierrez concludes.

The study shows how some proteins associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson, acting by interfering with the association of lipid-regulating neurotransmission with SNARE proteins, thus revealing the existence of new mechanisms for understanding how cells are linked to aspects these pathologies.

The research team studied 15 years ago from how neurons and neuroendocrine cells release neurotransmitters that allow nerve transmission and communication hormonal. His studies have helped to support the idea that there is a type of protein called SNARE, which are essential for this process.

In addition, the team of the Neuroscience Institute has recently published another article in which, by observing the movement of extremely small groups of molecules in the cell membrane, where the release of neurotransmitters, have determined how the movements of the SNARE proteins intimately associated with the dynamic characteristics of the process of neurotransmission.

Both articles explain how lipids and proteins interact during neurotrasmisión and enable us to better understand the role of omega-unsaturated fatty acids in the nervous system.