A team of researchers at the Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) has received a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to research metabolism in people with Down syndrome.
By targeting genes that affect metabolism, the team may be able to develop drug therapies for physical and mental symptoms of the condition, like muscle loss, accelerated aging, and lower cognitive function, thereby improving the quality of life for people with Down syndrome.
Part of our lab team works on a protein called SIM2 and its relationship to breast cancer. SIM2 happens to be in the middle of a section of chromosome 21 that we call the 'Down syndrome-critical region.' Almost every individual with Down syndrome has an extra copy of this gene." Genetic conditions like Down syndrome are closely linked with changes in tumor and cancer profiles, like breast cancer, according to Porter.
The lab's research into the connection between breast cancer and SIM2 led them to believe that the protein might also be involved in regulating crucial metabolic factors in Down syndrome. Multi-faceted mitochondria Contrary to what most people remember from high school, mitochondria aren't just powerhouses for cells. They play a role in a number of cellular processes, which is one reason that metabolism is so interconnected with Down syndrome.
"SIM2's role in electron transport is the most novel thing we found," said Wall, who served as the lead author for another publication produced by the lab. "Previously, it was not known to be involved in the electron transport chain, yet we found it consistently in the mitochondria and in the electron transport chain."
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Mum feared the worst when daughter phoned just after midnightEdge Hill University now increased patrols around the university
Read more »
'Amazing' Kate, 102, puts long life down to 'healthy eating and never sitting down'Carers at her home say Mrs Roberts, from Hopton-on-Sea, is often mistaken for someone in their seventies.
Read more »
M1 southbound down to two lanes due to broken down tankerRush hour traffic may be affected as there are currently delays on the M1 due to a broken-down vehicle.
Read more »
Public health interventions prevented transmission within Boston University of most SARS-CoV-2 cases, finds studySARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, began impacting the U.S. in March 2020 with many schools and universities shifting to remote education by early April 2020 in response to the public health emergency.
Read more »
‘Storrowed' truck leads to snarled traffic near Boston UniversityA box truck was 'Storrowed' on Tuesday morning on the eastbound side of Storrow Drive, leading to standstill traffic for drivers on the busy parkway.
Read more »
Under-fire academic says university failed to defend him from ‘attacks’Professor David Miller claimed ‘Zionist organisations’ targeted UK universities through a ‘censorship campaign’.
Read more »