Study of receptor protein could provide clues for fighting
diseases
Researchers at the University of Arkansas have developed a
new model system to study a receptor protein that controls cell death in both
humans and fruit flies, a discovery that could lead to a better understanding
of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Michael Lehmann, an associate professor of biological
sciences, uses fruit fly genetics to study the receptor — N-methyl-D-aspartate
receptor, known as the NMDA receptor — that triggers programmed cell death in
the human nervous system.