Restoring And Normalizing Protein Cluster Prevent Dementia, Study Finds
Memory loss and impaired judgment are hallmarks of dementia. According to recent research, neurodegenerative illnesses may be avoided if hazardous protein clumps are removed. A recent study out of the University of Queensland suggests that restoring and normalizing protein cluster prevent dementia. This was found by scientists at the Queensland Brain Institute who were studying the role of the enzyme Fyn and the protein Tau in frontotemporal dementia.
Author:Suleman ShahReviewer:Han JuNov 08, 202235K Shares973.1K Views
Memory lossand impaired judgment are hallmarks of dementia. According to recent research, neurodegenerative illnesses may be avoided if hazardous protein clumps are removed. A recent study out of the University of Queensland suggests that restoring and normalizing protein cluster prevent dementia.
This was found by scientists at the Queensland Brain Institute who were studying the role of the enzyme Fyn and the protein Tau in frontotemporal dementia.
The study, which was led by Professor Frederic Meunier and Dr. Ramón Martnez-Mármol, found that when Fyn was stopped from moving in synapses, which are the places where nerve impulses are sent from one neuron to another, it became very active.
“„Using super-resolution microscopy, we can now see these enzymes individually and in real-time, moving around randomly in live neurons.- Dr. Martínez-Mármol, Author of the study
Protein Clusters Are Key To The Cyclic Process
This process usually happens hundreds of times on its own at the connections between neurons. It is needed to keep synaptic connections going, which are the basis of learning and memory. Professor Frederic Meunier elaborated that the formation of these dynamic clusters by Fyn is necessary for the processes of learning and memory to take place.
“„When they need to complete an action, the Fyn enzymes slow down and congregate at the synapse to initiate their function.- Dr. Martínez-Mármol
This investigation is a continuation of the team's prior study, in which they found that Tau had an effect on an essential process in memory function.
Using super-resolution microscopy, the team was able to demonstrate that when neurons are subjected to a mutant form of Tau, which is present in frontotemporal dementia, the clustering of the Fyn enzyme is amplified, which has the potential to trigger a chain reaction that causes the patient to become disabled.
Even though many labs around the world have shown that the interaction of Fyn and Tau is necessary for the progression of Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia, the exact molecular mechanisms that cause this pathological interaction were not known until recently.
Tau Is Responsible For The Dementia Spider Web
The researchers referred back to their earlier work, a preliminary investigation of Tau's effect on a crucial memory process and the protein's function. Super-resolution microscopy was the method of choice for the researchers.
Researchers found that exposing neurons to a mutant form of the protein Tau, which is seen in frontotemporal dementia, increased clustering of the Fyn enzyme, setting off a chain reaction that is destructive and causes dementia. Scientists have determined the precise chemical processes behind the interactions of proteins, including Fyn and Tau, that contribute to the development of various forms of dementia.
“„In frontotemporal dementia, Fyn stops more as it becomes stuck in this gel-like structure. The droplets of Tau, therefore, attract additional Fyn proteins at the synapse.- Meunier
According to the research, the modified form of Tau is more likely to aggregate into cellular "biomolecular condensates," which resemble microscopic gel-like droplets. Droplets of proteins like tau may aggregate and take on the appearance of oil slicks in water.To stop this harmful chain reaction involving Fyn proteins, Meunier suggested looking at Tau enzymes.
“„We believe they are the perfect target for future therapyto re-establish normal Fyn clustering dynamics.- Meunier
Final Words
The enzyme Fyn, which is crucial for learning and memory, was shown to become active when it was immobilized inside the synapses (the gap between two nerve cells) that serve as the communication hubs between neurons.
Suleman Shah
Author
Suleman Shah is a researcher and freelance writer. As a researcher, he has worked with MNS University of Agriculture, Multan (Pakistan) and Texas A & M University (USA). He regularly writes science articles and blogs for science news website immersse.com and open access publishers OA Publishing London and Scientific Times. He loves to keep himself updated on scientific developments and convert these developments into everyday language to update the readers about the developments in the scientific era. His primary research focus is Plant sciences, and he contributed to this field by publishing his research in scientific journals and presenting his work at many Conferences.
Shah graduated from the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (Pakistan) and started his professional carrier with Jaffer Agro Services and later with the Agriculture Department of the Government of Pakistan. His research interest compelled and attracted him to proceed with his carrier in Plant sciences research. So, he started his Ph.D. in Soil Science at MNS University of Agriculture Multan (Pakistan). Later, he started working as a visiting scholar with Texas A&M University (USA).
Shah’s experience with big Open Excess publishers like Springers, Frontiers, MDPI, etc., testified to his belief in Open Access as a barrier-removing mechanism between researchers and the readers of their research. Shah believes that Open Access is revolutionizing the publication process and benefitting research in all fields.
Han Ju
Reviewer
Hello! I'm Han Ju, the heart behind World Wide Journals. My life is a unique tapestry woven from the threads of news, spirituality, and science, enriched by melodies from my guitar. Raised amidst tales of the ancient and the arcane, I developed a keen eye for the stories that truly matter. Through my work, I seek to bridge the seen with the unseen, marrying the rigor of science with the depth of spirituality.
Each article at World Wide Journals is a piece of this ongoing quest, blending analysis with personal reflection. Whether exploring quantum frontiers or strumming chords under the stars, my aim is to inspire and provoke thought, inviting you into a world where every discovery is a note in the grand symphony of existence.
Welcome aboard this journey of insight and exploration, where curiosity leads and music guides.
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