• What regulates the 'glue' needed for ner

    From ScienceDaily@1:317/3 to All on Wed Mar 16 22:30:44 2022
    What regulates the 'glue' needed for nerve repair?

    Date:
    March 16, 2022
    Source:
    University of Queensland
    Summary:
    Researchers have identified a molecule essential for regulating
    the repair of injured nerves, which could help people recover from
    nerve damage.



    FULL STORY ========================================================================== Researchers at The University of Queensland have identified a molecule essential for regulating the repair of injured nerves, which could help
    people recover from nerve damage.


    ==========================================================================
    The finding was made using the nematode worm C. eleganswhich has long
    been studied by researchers for its ability to self-repair nerve cells.

    Professor Massimo Hilliard and his team at UQ's Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) have identified that the enzyme ADM-4 is an essential protein
    regulating the molecular glue, or fusogen, needed for nerve repair.

    "We have shown that animals lacking ADM-4 cannot repair their nerves by fusion," Professor Hilliard said.

    "ADM-4 must function within the injured neuron to stabilise the fusogen
    EFF- 1 and allow the membranes of the separated nerves to merge.

    "An exciting part of this discovery is that ADM-4 is similar to a
    mammalian gene, opening up the possibility that one day we may harness
    this process in humans." Study first author, Dr Xue Yan Ho, said the
    nematode provided a great platform for these studies.



    ==========================================================================
    "Our goal is to uncover the molecules and understand their role in nerve
    repair in C. elegans,"Dr Ho said.

    "If we can understand how to control this process, we can apply this
    knowledge to other animal models.

    "The hope is that one day, we can induce the same mechanical process in
    people who have had a nerve injury.

    "We are still a long way from this goal, but the discovery of ADM-4's
    role is an important step forward." Nerve cells communicate using long, cable-like structures called axons.



    ==========================================================================
    As they are long and thin, they are very susceptible to breaking, which
    stops nerve cells from communicating and leads to issues like paralysis.

    A few years ago, Professor Hilliard and his team discovered that
    C. elegans could spontaneously re-join two separated axon fragments,
    a process called axonal fusion.

    QBI's Associate Professor Victor Anggono helped the team define the
    molecular mechanisms of this process.

    "Using neurosurgery to stitch together damaged nerves has limited
    success," A/ Professor Anggono said.

    "A different approach using gene technology to directly provide the
    molecular glue, or activate the fusogen regulator ADM-4, or using
    pharmacology to activate these components, may facilitate complete regeneration."

    ========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Queensland. Note:
    Content may be edited for style and length.


    ========================================================================== Journal Reference:
    1. Xue Yan Ho, Sean Coakley, Rumelo Amor, Victor Anggono, Massimo A.

    Hilliard. The metalloprotease ADM-4/ADAM17 promotes axonal repair.

    Science Advances, 2022; 8 (11) DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abm2882 ==========================================================================

    Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/03/220316145731.htm

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