Tech · 4 d ago
Alexis · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Protein that restores memory in old flies may help explain age-related memory loss
What is a chaperone?
Chaperone
The Funes protein, named after a Borges character who forgets nothing, belongs to a group called chaperones that help proteins fold into their shape.
When researchers raised its production in aged flies, memory-related amyloid proteins reverted to more youthful states and memory improved. A chaperone with the opposite function made even young flies worse at remembering.
Fruit flies studied
10 million over six years, at eight ages
The team spent six years studying the brains of 10 million fruit flies at eight stages of life. The study was published in the journal Cell.
What's next
Humans have a similar protein, CPEB3, and the lead researcher has received a grant of 1 million euros from the Hong Kong government to test whether the same happens in people. Outside experts say that still has to be shown.
