A New Clue Towards Protecting and Encouraging the Growth of Neurons

Neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and Glaucoma are characterized by damage to neural axons that are thread-like projections that carry electrical impulses from one nerve cell to another. Axonal injury often causes dysfunction of neurons and ultimately the death of axons.

What we know so far about Neurodegeneration

NeurogenesisEvidence found by Researchers had shown that dual leucine zipper kinase (DLK) is a key regulator enzyme of progressive neuronal degeneration, the inhibition of which can be a potential approach in the treatment of numerous neurodegenerative conditions. Though it is neuroprotective, it also inhibits axonal regeneration. No effective ways to improve long-term survival and promote regeneration of axons were available till now.

Read Also: Can Neurons Regenerate? A New Study Says They Can

What research has recently found

On December 14, 2020, in a paper published in PNAS researchers claimed they have found a new class of enzymes known as germinal cell kinase four (GCK-IV) kinases whose inhibition improves the long-term survival of neurons and also promotes the regeneration of axons. This feature could be of great help in the treatment of some degenerative diseases of neurons through a different modality.

A different approach to finding the Enzyme

Researchers initially used human stem cells to generate Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). RGCs are the group of neurons situated in the inner surface of the retina which takes visual information from the eye and then transmits it to the visual center of the brain.

Read Also: The University of Freiburg Identifies the Neurons Responsible for Rapid Eye Movements During Sleep

Researchers performed multiple screenings to test the chemicals. The first screening included well-understood chemicals for assessing the ability of RGCs to survive: the next screening was done to look if these chemicals can promote regeneration.

Following the screening, the machine-learning technique was used to study the activity of several compounds that later helped identify these key genes.

Researchers were surprised as, unlike DLK that only blocked regeneration when inhibited. They also promoted regeneration. Similarly, the adenovirus approach with Genomic editing found the benefit of GCK-IV over DLK in the promotion of regeneration of axons.

Advantage of Discovery-based science

It helps testing several agents at a time, which can be a great help in identifying those unnoticed genes which were not supposed to be of any role in the past.

Why RGCs were selected for the study?

Researchers working on the project were quite interested in optic neuropathies like glaucoma. According to what the researchers say, there is a misconception that only eye pressure causes glaucoma. But in fact, it is not just related to eye pressure. Eye pressure is the tip of the iceberg with a big problem within- a submerged part of the iceberg. At the root level glaucoma is characterized by a progressive optic neuropathy resulting in a specific pattern of irreversible visual field defect associated frequently but not invariably with increased eye pressure.

Read Also: Glaucoma Breakthrough: Vision Loss in Mice Restored With Anti Aging Cocktail

What Statistical data says about Glaucoma

Glaucoma is the 2nd leading cause of blindness worldwide.  Approximately 3 million Americans are suffering from glaucoma currently.

Is the discovery of these genes of benefit?

As it does not only improve long-term neuronal survival. But also promote the regeneration of neurons which can be of great help in treating several neurodegenerative disorders.

References

Functional genomic screening identifies dual leucine zipper kinase as a key mediator of retinal ganglion cell death

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