2024-01-27 00:31:04
Researchers discover new role for protein that helps form memories
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Release date: January 27, 2024
Researchers discover new role for protein that helps form memories
Virginia Tech researchers have discovered a new function for a common protein in the brain, a development that sheds light on the mysteries of the brain and raises hope for treating memory loss and post-traumatic stress disorder.
This protein normally functions as part of a larger protein complex called the proteasome, which performs necessary housework in the brain’s hippocampus, destroying other proteins.
But researchers in the School of Animal Sciences in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences recently noticed that the protein, called RPT6, behaves in a previously undiscovered way.
“We found that RPT6 has a completely different function in that it can bind to DNA and increase the expression of other genes or proteins during memory formation,” said Tim Jarome, associate professor of neurobiology. “This suggests that RPT6 functions within the proteasome complex and The outside plays a unique dual role in memory formation.”
The findings, published this month in the Journal of Neuroscience, provide new insights into RPT6’s function in the brain and how it can be manipulated to improve memory and alleviate memory disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and post-traumatic stress disorder. inflammatory disorders) opens up new avenues.
The project is led by research scientist Kayla Farrell, who received her PhD from the School of Animal Sciences in December. Farrell previously led a study that identified a protein that could lead to better treatments for women suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Gene expression is critical to memory formation. It helps build the neural networks needed to form and strengthen memories. Researchers don’t yet understand why RPT6 has this dual function or how it helps control cells that are recruited to form memories.
“There must be something else working with it to regulate gene expression,” Jarome said. “We’re trying to understand how it does this.”
Ultimately, the discovery will aid ongoing research in Jarome’s lab that focuses on understanding and treating memory disorders such as Alzheimer’s, dementia and post-traumatic stress disorder.
“This discovery provides new directions for us to unravel the complexity of the brain and how we learn and store memories,” Jarome said. “We hope this will help provide insights into how gene expression is controlled during memory processes.” New directions. In the long term, this could lead to potential therapeutic targets for controlling and improving memory or treating maladaptive memory.”
Important findings
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Dual functions of RPT6: RPT6 is a protein present in every cell and was previously known for its role in the proteasome complex. Research shows that during memory formation, RPT6 can also bind DNA and regulate gene expression, presenting a unique dual function.
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Impact on memory operations: Understanding the dual role of RPT6 can provide insights into the complex process of memory formation. This knowledge could pave the way for targeted therapeutic interventions to enhance memory or alleviate negative memories associated with disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder.
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Implications for future research: This study marks a critical step in unraveling the complexity of brain and gene expression control during memory formation. The researchers anticipate that further study of the mechanism of RPT6 will provide new directions for understanding memory at the molecular level.
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