Cannoli- I was thinking the same thing. I hope we
Post# of 30028
MJFF-funded research led to novel findings on the structure and function of new family of neurotrophic factors, the CDNF/MANF – family. We solved the crystal structure of CDNF and MANF and found that these proteins are structurally related, but they may have a different mechanism of action. Both have a saposin-like N-terminal domain that binds lipids, which most likely is responsible for their neuroprotective effect in rodent models of Parkinson’s disease. The C-terminal domains of MANF and CDNF are responsible for their protective effects against cell stress, i.e. endoplasmic reticulum stress, associated with post-ischemic brain damage and neurodegeneration.
We discovered the intracellular receptor of CDNF and MANF, and characterized their mode of action in neurons. CDNF and MANF were neurorestorative in experimental Parkinson’s disease in rats. The mechanism of action of the neurorestorative effect of CDNF is very different from that of GDNF. Another important difference is that the distribution volume of MANF in brain tissue was significantly larger than that of GDNF. The good tissue penetration of MANF is of paramount importance as regards the future use of CDNF and MANF in the therapy of Parkinson’s disease.
-MJFF