Breakthrough in Neural Stem Cell Reactivation Offers Hope for Neurodegenerative Diseases

Researchers identify SUMOylation as a key mechanism in reactivating dormant neural stem cells, paving the way for potential therapies.

An international team led by Duke-NUS Medical School has discovered that SUMO proteins play a crucial role in reactivating dormant neural stem cells.
The process, known as SUMOylation, modifies proteins to influence neural stem cell activity, crucial for brain repair and regeneration.
This research highlights the SUMO protein family's role in regulating the Hippo pathway, which affects cell growth and brain development.
Findings suggest potential for developing regenerative therapies for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
The study, conducted on fruit flies, provides insights applicable to human biology due to the conservation of the SUMO and Hippo pathways across species.