Heat shock proteins are a group of naturally occurring proteins that are induced when a cell undergoes environmental stress such as heat, cold or oxygen deprivation. They are also present under normal conditions where they ensure that the cell's proteins are "in the right place and shape at the right time".

Researchers from Imperial College London, the Charing Cross Hospital and University College London developed transgenic mice with high levels of the protein, called HSP27, throughout the brain, spinal cord and other tissues.

They found that HSP27 markedly protected the mice from cell death in the hippocampus region of the brain when a neuro-toxic agent was introduced. Mortality of the animals was also reduced by more than 50 per cent.

Similar results were also obtained when HSP27 was injected directly into the brain.

Professor Jacqueline de Belleroche, one of the senior authors, says, "At present, there is no cure for neuro-degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, but the discovery of the beneficial effects of this protein in the brain may provide us with a way to at least slow down the disease process."

And she adds, "Eventually it may be possible to use a drug to increase levels of HSP27 in the brain, which could be given to those suffering from neuro-degenerative diseases."

The research is published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

© HMG Worldwide Ltd 2003