Andy’s Quick Hits (182): A protein that can regenerate brain cells

This may sound too good to be true, but it is early days yet, so don’t hold your breath waiting for a supplement that can regenerate your brain.

Nevertheless, fascinating research. A group of researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified a transcription factor that can reprogramme and reset brain cells.

In this study it was a group of glial cells, known as astrocytes, that were affected. Astrocytes are helping cells in the brain, helping and supporting neuronal function. However, this transcription factor — a single protein known as DLX2 — can reprogramme these astrocytes into stem-like cells. They can then subsequently develop into neurons or other glial cells.

Fascinating and something that has potential to be used for stroke patients or those with neurodegenerative diseases. Promising.

Reference:
Yunjia Zhang, Boxun Li, Sergio Cananzi, Chuanhui Han, Lei-Lei Wang, Yuhua Zou, Yang-Xin Fu, Gary C. Hon, Chun-Li Zhang.
A single factor elicits multilineage reprogramming of astrocytes in the adult mouse striatum.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2022; 119 (11)
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2107339119

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Andy is author of leading brains Review a monthly e-magazine on all things the brain, behaviour, and business.