What are Osmolytes?

Aug. 3, 2024

A research team used a technique called covalent magnetic tweezers to observe how individual protein molecules fold and unfold under different conditions and interact with osmolytes which can help treat Alzheimer's & Parkinson's.

About Osmolytes:

  • These are low molecular weight organic molecules usually built up in tissues at a quite high amount during stress or any pathological condition.
  • These are small molecules that help cells survive stress by stabilizing proteins and preventing them from misfolding. 
  • They help proteins maintain their structure and function under stressful conditions
  • Misfolded proteins can’t perform their functions properly, leading to diseases. 
  • Osmolytes are crucial in maintaining the stability of protein structures, making them potential targets for new drugs.

Key facts about Parkinson’s disease

  • It is a progressive neurological disorder that affects the nervous system and the parts of the body controlled by the nerves. 
  • The risk of developing Parkinson’s disease naturally increases with age, and the average age at which it starts is 60 years old.
  • Many studies have suggested that men are more likely to be affected by Parkinson’s than women.
  • Cause:
  • It is caused by the degeneration of nerve cells in the part of the brain called the substantia nigra, which controls movement.
  • These nerve cells die or become impaired, losing the ability to produce an important chemical called dopamine.