Studies in Drosophila point to potential therapeutic approach for treatment of Parkinson's Disease based on modulation of kynurenine metabolism

Cunningham PC, Waldeck K, Ganetzky B, Babcock DT. Neurodegeneration and locomotor dysfunction in Drosophila scarlet mutants. J Cell Sci. 2018 Sep 17;131(18). pii: jcs216697. doi: 10.1242/jcs.216697. PubMed PMID: 30154211; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6176922.

From the abstract: "Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons, resulting in progressive locomotor dysfunction. Identification of genes required for the maintenance of these neurons should help to identify potential therapeutic targets. ... Here, we show that Drosophila melanogaster scarlet mutants exhibit an age-dependent progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons, along with subsequent locomotor defects and a shortened lifespan. ... we show that expression of wild-type Scarlet is neuroprotective in a model of PD, suggesting that manipulating kynurenine metabolism may be a potential therapeutic option in treating PD."