A novel peptide-based strategy to enhance GBA1 expression for treating Parkinson's disease.

ABSTRACT: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by α-synuclein aggregation and lysosomal dysfunction, with GBA1 mutations representing the most common genetic risk factor. Reduced glucocerebrosidase (GCase) activity is observed in both familial and sporadic PD, promoting α-synuclein accumulation and neuronal toxicity. Here, we developed a GBA1-HiBiT tagged knock-in HEK293T reporter system, providing a highly sensitive, real-time quantitative measurement of GCase dynamics. From a leech-derived peptide library, we identified a cell-penetrating peptide hirunipin 4 that significantly enhanced GCase protein levels and enzymatic activity. Moreover, hirunipin 4 alleviated α-synuclein preformed fibrils (PFF)-induced lysosomal dysfunction and glucosylceramide accu

SUBMITTER: Kim H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12630718 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature