COVENTRY, England, Feb. 13 (UPI) -- British and Indian scientists have found how iron accumulates in the brain, resulting in some forms of Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Huntington's diseases.
Although essential to human health, iron can be toxic. The body employs a protein called transferrin to transport iron safely through the bloodstream to tissues in which it can be used. The protein combines molecules of iron with another substance and then curls around the iron to seal it, preventing any interactions until the iron reaches tissues in which it can be used.
The researchers discovered that when this mechanism did not work properly, molecules of transferrin arranged themselves into filaments. Instead of being safely enclosed by the transferrin, iron was deposited along the length of the filaments in a series of spots or bands.
When transported in that manner, iron was dangerously exposed, and could interact in ways that damage cells.
The researchers said they believe their findings will help in understanding how forms of Parkinson's, Huntington's and Alzheimer's occur, and how they can be treated.
The study, which involved scientists from the University of Warwick and the Indian Institute of Technology, appears in the online edition of the journal Angewandte Chemie.
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