# Deciphering the modulatory role of short-chain fatty acids in Parkinson’s disease via phosphorylation-dependent signaling mechanisms

**Authors:** Jiaji Liu, Ruijun Su

PMC · DOI: 10.7717/peerj.20688 · 2026-01-28

## TL;DR

This paper reviews how short-chain fatty acids may help in Parkinson’s disease by influencing key signaling pathways related to neuroinflammation and mitochondrial function.

## Contribution

The paper systematically evaluates how SCFAs modulate phosphorylation pathways to impact PD pathophysiology.

## Key findings

- SCFAs influence phosphorylation dynamics of pathways like MAPKs, NF-κB, and PI3K/Akt in PD.
- SCFAs may regulate neuroinflammation, α-synuclein aggregation, and mitochondrial dysfunction through phosphorylation signaling.
- The review identifies potential molecular targets for therapeutic interventions in Parkinson’s disease.

## Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD), the world’s second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder, is characterized by progressive neuronal degeneration mediated through intricate pathological mechanisms. Phosphorylation signaling pathways have been increasingly recognized as critical modulators in the development and progression of PD. Meanwhile, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), primarily produced by gut microbiota, have shown considerable neuroprotective potential by promoting autophagy, alleviating mitochondrial dysfunction, and regulating neuroinflammatory responses. Recent research suggests that SCFAs may influence the phosphorylation dynamics of key signaling pathways, including MAPKs, NF-κB, JAK/STAT, PI3K/Akt, AMPK, and Nrf2/Keap1/ARE, thereby modulating disease pathophysiology. This review aims to systematically evaluate how SCFAs modulate phosphorylation pathways to influence neuroinflammation, α-synuclein aggregation, and mitochondrial dysfunction in PD. By investigating this issue, we identify potential molecular targets and propose future research directions, offering new insighreviewts and strategies for the development of novel therapeutic and preventive interventions for PD.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** Parkinson’s disease (MONDO:0005180)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** SNCA (synuclein alpha) [NCBI Gene 6622] {aka NACP, PARK1, PARK4, PD1}, KEAP1 (kelch like ECH associated protein 1) [NCBI Gene 9817] {aka INrf2, KLHL19}, PIK3CB (phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit beta) [NCBI Gene 5291] {aka P110BETA, PI3K, PI3KBETA, PIK3C1}, AKT1 (AKT serine/threonine kinase 1) [NCBI Gene 207] {aka AKT, PKB, PKB-ALPHA, PRKBA, RAC, RAC-ALPHA}, NFE2L2 (NFE2 like bZIP transcription factor 2) [NCBI Gene 4780] {aka IMDDHH, NRF2, Nrf-2}, PRKAA1 (protein kinase AMP-activated catalytic subunit alpha 1) [NCBI Gene 5562] {aka AMPK, AMPK alpha 1, AMPKa1}, NFKB1 (nuclear factor kappa B subunit 1) [NCBI Gene 4790] {aka CVID12, EBP-1, KBF1, NF-kB, NF-kB1, NF-kappa-B1}
- **Diseases:** mitochondrial dysfunction (MESH:D028361), neuroinflammation (MESH:D000090862), neurodegenerative disorder (MESH:D019636), neuronal degeneration (MESH:D009410), PD (MESH:D010300)
- **Chemicals:** SCFAs (MESH:D005232)

## Figures

4 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12860308/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12860308