- Category: Science & Technology
NZHerald.co.nz A newly-discovered function of a protein found in the brain could lead to a breakthrough in the treatment of motor neurone disease, researchers say. The study - a joint research project between Otago University and the University of Aberdeen in Scotland - found a protein known as transforming growth factor beta 2 (TGF-2) appeared to regulate how motor neurons sent signals to neighboring brain cells, Otago neuro-biologist associate professor Ian McLennan said.
The mechanism could lead to new therapies for symptoms of motor neurone disease.
Prof McLennan said the discovery surprised the researchers.
"We did not predict this, and the finding fundamentally alters our understanding of how communication between cells in the brain's motor system is controlled," he said.
"It is also likely that this mechanism plays a role in other brain signaling systems."
The flow of information from cell to cell was previously thought to be controlled by the number of "packets" of neurotransmitter chemicals released across special cell junctions known as synapses.
"Now we have found good evidence that the TGF-2 protein regulates the size of the packets released and thus the amount of neurotransmitter they contain," Prof McLennan said...MORE...
