Fatal neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) begin as tiny pockets of misfolded proteins that evade the body’s normal detritus-removal systems. They spread throughout the brain and clog neural pathways. But exactly how these proteins propagate … Continue reading
Journal Club
Highlighting recently published papers selected by Academy members
Tag Archives: Alzheimer’s disease
Journal Club: Microglial protein trafficking could play a role in neurodegenerative disorders
Neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or Parkinson’s are associated with a build-up of insoluble, toxic forms of proteins such as amyloid or tau in the brain. Normally, intracellular protein complexes known as retromers help with recycling and trafficking … Continue reading
Journal Club: New roles found for protein key to neurotransmission
Scientists know many of the proteins that make neurotransmission possible, but they don’t have a handle on how all the pieces work together. “As someone who has studied the synapse for a long time, I still find it frustrating … Continue reading
Categories: Biochemistry | Genetics | Journal Club | Neuroscience
Tagged Alzheimer's disease, neurodegenerative disease, neuron, neurotransmitter, Parkinson's disease, SNARE, synaxin, Unc13
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Journal Club: ATP could help proteins dissolve in cells, prompting a rethink about its function and evolution
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is widely considered biology’s “energy currency”. A crucial player in cell function, it stores and releases energy for enzymatic reactions in its phosphate bonds. But cells typically hoard amounts of ATP several hundred-fold higher than that needed … Continue reading
Categories: Biochemistry | Cell Biology | Journal Club
Tagged Alzheimer's disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ATP, plaque
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