Protein Misfolding in Neurodegenerative Disorders: Mechanisms, Consequences, and Emerging Therapies

Protein misfolding occurs when the 3D protein structures fold incorrectly, resulting in accumulation and formation of toxic aggregates.Protein misfolding plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative diseases.This review will examine the causes of protein misfolding, its relation to neurological diseases, and possible cellular and therapeutic treatments.The cellular treatment includes a dive into the ubiquitin-proteasome system and macroautophagy for protein quality control, as well as the use of chaperones-molecular, chemical, and pharmacological-to reduce misfolded protein levels and aggregate accumulation.The therapeutic treatments consider the antibodies developed for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, and explore which ones worked and the reason why some of them failed.The paper also highlights the importance of research efforts in developing and accelerating these therapeutic strategies.Treating these disorders is extremely important because they can severely impact the lives of those who deal with them.Understanding the mechanisms and the treatments to protein misfolding can help us improve patients' lives and pave a clearer path for how to deal with these disorders.This review aims to provide a deep understanding of protein misfolding associated with neurological disorders, and promising treatments.