- Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have discovered a link between an ancient protein with virus-like characteristics, called PEG10, and the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
- PEG10, primarily known for its role in placental development, has been found to accumulate in excessive amounts in ALS patients’ spinal cord tissue, potentially disrupting communication between brain and nerve cells.
- These new findings may help identify novel pathways to develop new treatments that could target the underlying cause of ALS, potentially paving the way for improved patient outcomes.
Every year in the United States, an average of
The condition gradually deprives people of their capacity to speak, move, eat, and breathe.
There are only a few medications available that can moderately delay its advancement and no cure currently exists.
Now, researchers have identified a link between an ancient protein with virus-like characteristics, primarily recognized for its crucial role in facilitating placental development, with the development of the disease.
The study, published in eLife, found elevated levels of PEG10 in the nerve tissue of ALS patients, suggesting it can alter cellular behavior, thereby playing a role in the development of ALS.
The study of the human genome has found that a significant portion of the human genome consists of remnants of viral DNA and similar virus-like entities called transposons.
These genetic elements are remnants of viruses and parasites that infected our primate ancestors approximately 30–50 million years ago.
While some viruses, like HIV, are recognized for their ability to infect cells and cause diseases, others have undergone a process of domestication similar to wolves losing their fangs.
These domesticated retrotransposons have lost their…
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