New Discoveries in Frontotemporal Dementia: TAF15 Protein Research Results

2023-12-17 23:07:28

Reporter Cho Min-gyu

[email protected] | 2023-12-18 08:07:28

▲ Research results have discovered a new protein called TAF15 in frontotemporal dementia. (Photo = DB)

[메디컬투데이=조민규 기자] Research results have discovered a new protein called TAF15 in frontotemporal dementia.

The research results that discovered the aggregated structure of the TAF15 protein in a case of frontotemporal dementia were published in ‘Nature.’

Frontotemporal dementia is a dementia related to the deterioration of the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, and symptoms include loss of inhibition, loss of empathy, and compulsive behavior. This disease appears at an earlier age than the typical dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease and is diagnosed between the ages of 45 and 65.

Dementia is a neurodegenerative disease that is known to be associated with the clustering of a protein called beta-amyloid. It is known that accurately identifying the protein that causes dementia is important in research for diagnosis and treatment. However, it is known that in about 10% of cases of frontotemporal dementia, scientists have not yet identified the causative protein.

The researchers used cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to analyze protein aggregates in the brains of four patients with frontotemporal dementia.

As a result of the study, protein aggregates sharing the same atomic structure were identified in the brains of four patients. As a result of the analysis, the researchers noted that this protein aggregate was a new type of protein called TAF15.

Meanwhile, until now, scientists have assumed that a protein called FUS contributes to the onset of dementia.

The researchers concluded that they discovered a new protein structure called TAF15 in frontotemporal dementia. Additionally, the researchers noted that this discovery could serve as a new hypothesis for the pathogenesis of dementia.