Researchers found a protein that is coded by a gene and helps the brain talk to itself between synapses
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have found a gene-encoded protein that has been looked for for a long time. This protein helps the brain send impulses across synapse, which are spaces between neurons.
The discoveries may aid in the creation of therapies for a number of neurological conditions, such as ASD and epilepsy; and was revealed in today’s issue of Nature.
The protein, sometimes referred to as synaptotagmin-3 (SYT3), aids in replenishing the amount of chemical neurotransmitters that convey impulses between neurons.
According to senior author Skyler Jackman, Ph.D., an assistant scientist at the OHSU Vollum Institute, “when brain cells are active, they release neurotransmitters to communicate with their neighbors.” “A cell’s ability to produce neurotransmitters can be depleted if it is overly active, which can lead to a breakdown in communication and mental dysfunction.
How can insight into brain function help us understand and treat brain disorders?
Understanding how the brain works can help us understand and treat brain disorders because it shows us what goes wrong when the brain is sick. It can also help us find new ways to treat diseases by going after their causes.
We now know the molecule that cells need to restore their supply of neurotransmitters. It turns out that cells have this boost mode. We discovered that SYT3 directly causes that neurotransmitter increase,” the author explained. This offers fresh understanding of how the brain can malfunction and improperly handle information.
People with epilepsy and autism spectrum disorder have been linked to mutations in the SYT3 gene. Jackman said that the research that came out today shows that it might be possible to target SYT3 with gene therapies or drugs.
“Many neurological disorders are caused by imbalances in how neurotransmitters are released,” said Dennis Weingarten, Ph.D., the lead author of the study and a postdoctoral researcher in the Jackman lab. He said, “Understanding these molecular switches, like SYT3, is a key step toward fighting these diseases in the future.”
Jackman’s lab focuses on studying how nerve cells talk to each other. There are hundreds of trillions of synapses in the human brain. To understand how the brain works and what causes neurological disorders, it is important to find the molecules that give these specialized structures their unique properties.
“Synaptic transmission is important for figuring out what’s going on around us, making decisions, and just about everything else in our minds,” Jackman said.
Conclusion
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have found a gene-encoded protein that has been looked for for a long time. This protein helps the brain send impulses across synapses, which are spaces between neurons.
Discovery may aid in the creation of therapies for a number of neurological conditions, such as ASD and epilepsy. Synaptic transmission is important for figuring out what’s going on around us, making decisions, and just about everything else in our minds.
Brain disorders are hard to understand and treat, but understanding how the brain works can help us figure out what’s wrong and how to fix it. There are hundreds of trillions of synapses in the human brain. To understand how the brain works, it is important to find the molecules that give these structures their unique properties. It can also help us come up with new ways to treat diseases by going after their causes.
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