Activated neurons produce a protein that protects them from cell death, as reported by the Internet publication for girls and women from 14 to 35 years old Pannochka. net Researchers from the University of Heidelberg in Germany, who made this discovery, have already called this ability the leading natural mechanism of protection against neurodegenerative diseases.
"We already know that brain activity is important for protecting against degeneration and loss of brain functions. Now we have opened the central, key mechanism that underlies this protection and prevents the development of neurodegenerative processes, "writes Professor Hilmar Bading of the Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences at the University of Heidelberg.
When nerve cells die (for example, as a result of a stroke or Alzheimer's disease), a person gradually loses brain functions. Early studies by Professor Bading demonstrated that brain activity counteracts the death of neurons, while retaining these functions.
At the molecular level, ionotropic glutamate receptors (NMDA receptors) play an important role in this process,. This is a kind of cellular receptors that interact with NMDA. Thanks to the activity of the neuron, the NMDA-receptor admits calcium into the cell, after which the calcium signal propagates inside it, reaching the nucleus and triggering a genetic defense program.
Professor Bading opened this defensive program a couple of years ago. Nevertheless, until the last moment it was not clear how this natural shield works. From now on, everything fell into place, and scientists have opened great opportunities in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
They made their last discovery through further study of NMDA receptors. It turned out that when these receptors are located not at the junction of nerve cells (not in synapses), then they are apparently not involved in cell protection. Moreover, such useless receptors even accelerate the death of neurons.
"The life and death of a nerve cell are only a few microns away from each other. Outside the synaptic cleft, NMDA receptors cease to be healers and become real killers, "explains Professor.
And here the most interesting begins. Recent scientific studies show that toxic extrasynaptic NMDA receptors (located outside the synapses) that are toxic to neurons can be suppressed by intensive brain activity. Employees Professor Badinger found that a special cellular protein - activin A - triggers this process.
Actinin A plays an important role in other life processes, including menstrual cycle and wound healing. It is produced by the nervous system due to the activity of neurons, that is, thanks to the work of our brain. Now it turned out that activin A suppresses dangerous extrasynaptic NMDA receptors and prevents our nerve cells from dying prematurely.
"Aktivin A initiates the work of all known brain neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protective signal molecule that protects existing cells and promotes the formation of new. It turns out that activin A acts as a kind of "ignition key", which launches all this complex mechanism of brain protection, "- comments on the results of the professor.
The discovery of German neuroscientists can start a new era in the fight against neurodegenerative diseases. In experiments on mice, they have already proved that activin A significantly limits the extent of damage to the brain as a result of a stroke. What else is this protein capable of? Treat Alzheimer's disease, Pick's disease, vascular dementia? It may very well be, but this is already a matter for future research.
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