ER-Golgi Secretory Pathway Dysfunction in PD - Experiment Design

SUMMARY

# ER-Golgi Secretory Pathway Dysfunction in PD - Experiment Design ## Background and Rationale This clinical validation study investigates endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi apparatus dysfunction as a central mechanism in Parkinson's disease pathogenesis. The secretory pathway is critical for proper protein folding, modification, and trafficking, including processing of lysosomal enzymes essential for α-synuclein degradation. ER stress and Golgi fragmentation occur early in Parkinson's disease

METHODOLOGY NOTES

**Phase 1: Patient Recruitment and Characterization (Months 1-3)** • Recruit 150 participants: 75 PD patients (H&Y stages 1-3) and 75 age-matched healthy controls • Confirm PD diagnosis using MDS clinical criteria and DaTscan imaging • Assess motor symptoms using UPDRS-III and non-motor symptoms using NMSS • Collect demographic data, medication history, and disease duration • Obtain informed consent and collect blood samples (30mL) in EDTA tubes **Phase 2: Biomarker Sample Processing (Months 2-4)** • Isolate peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) within 4 hours of collection • Extract total RNA using TRIzol reagent and assess quality (RIN ≥7.0) • Prepare plasma samples by centrifugation (2000g, 10min, 4°C) • Store samples at -80°C until batch analysis • Process skin punch biopsies (3mm) for fibroblast culture establishment **Phase 3: ER Stress Marker Analysis (Months 4-6)** • Quantify ER stress proteins (BiP, CHOP, ATF4, XBP1s) using quantitative Western blotting • Measure plasma