How RNA Editing May Drive Brain Inflammation in Parkinson’s Disease

A collaborative study between South Korean and British scientists has shed light on how a process called RNA editing contributes to this inflammation. RNA acts as a messenger, carrying instructions from DNA to produce proteins. The enzyme ADAR1 modifies RNA in a process known as editing.​ The researchers discovered that in Parkinson’s patients, ADAR1 alters RNA in brain support cells called glial cells. These cells, when affected, can trigger an immune response leading to chronic inflammation. This inflammation may exacerbate the loss of neurons in Parkinson’s disease.​ Implications for Treatment Understanding the involvement of RNA editing in brain inflammation opens new avenues for potential treatments. Targeting the ADAR1 enzyme or the RNA editing process could help reduce inflammation and slow disease progression.​ Looking Ahead This groundbreaking research offers hope for developing therapies that address not just the symptoms but also the underlying causes of Parkinson’s disease. By focusing on the molecular mechanisms of inflammation, scientists are moving closer to more effective treatments.​ Photo: Choi Min, a professor in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences at KAIST, has newly revealed the principles of Parkinson’s disease onset./Courtesy of KAIST