Dementia results from a variety of diseases and injuries that affect the brain. And he got sick Alzheimer’s It is the most common type of dementia and may contribute to 60-70% of cases.
The World Health Organization has indicated that more than 55 million people suffer from dementia around the world, expressing its expectations that the number will rise to 78 million by 2030 and 139 million by 2050.
A glimmer of hope
Currently, nearly 6 million Americans live with the disease Alzheimer’sAnd the number is set to rise to 13.8 million by 2050, according to New Atlas.
With promising trials unable to produce conclusive final results, researchers are desperate to make any breakthroughs that could lead to a cure for devastating neurodegenerative diseases.
But the latest findings come from an international team of researchers from Spain, whose cellular study of more than 5,000 samples of mutant yeast revealed 238 genes involved in the occurrence and progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
(Istok)
Surf4 gene protein
In the study, which was led by the Laboratory of Molecular Physiology of the University Pompeu Fabra (UPF) in Barcelona, the 238 genes associated with Alzheimer’s disease were involved in mitochondrial activity, protein translation and intracellular calcium regulation.
But there was a prominent role for a gene in the latter functional group. The gene protein, known as Surf4, regulates the entry of calcium into cells and has been shown to increase the toxicity of the protein beta-amyloid, which is thought to be a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.
Its hyperactivity also disrupted the ability to deliver calcium messages between cells and accelerated amyloid-beta toxicity.
(Istok)
According to the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Surf4 was one of 81 genes implicated in amyloid-beta toxicity, while the other 157 genes identified were protective against this cellular damage.
A pivotal role
“The Surf4 gene is involved in almost all cell functions,” said study coordinator Francisco Muñoz from Pompeu Fabra University. “Hence, when the Surf4 protein is overexpressed, which reduces calcium entry and aborts cellular processes that depend on it, neurons cannot function and become extremely sensitive to amyloid toxicity.”
It is not the first time that calcium regulation is thought to play a pivotal role across neuronal pathways, where it is also associated with cell death and neurodegeneration. Calcium is also one of the most important intracellular transporters and is vital to cell function, especially in nerve cells thanks to its role in neurotransmission. The researchers hope that this gene profile will open the door to much-needed new research avenues for finding new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.