Enzyme as autism culprit

zimmy61 · 12-06-2007, 05:51 AM

Scientists finger enzyme as autism culprit

JULIE STEENHUYSEN
Reuters
December 5, 2007 at 10:48 PM EST

CHICAGO — Autism and other brain disorders may be the result of a missing protein important for building communication networks in the brain, U.S. researchers said on Wednesday.
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found that an enzyme called Cdk5 that instructs a synapse-building protein called CASK may be going awry, causing a breakdown in the formation of synapses.
Synapses allow information from one neuron to pass to another and are essential for the ability to learn and remember.
"If there is a reduction in the number of synapses, that is going to profoundly affect the function of the nervous system," said Li-Huei Tsai, an MIT professor and Howard Hughes Medical Institute researcher, whose study appears in the journal Neuron.
Cdk5 is a kinase, an enzyme that changes proteins. Its primary task is to help new neurons form and migrate to their correct positions during brain development. But Dr. Tsai's study suggests it may also play a role in the formation of synapses.
The research offers a possible explanation for the underlying molecular causes of autism, she said in a telephone interview.
Dr. Tsai and colleagues genetically modified mice to either lack Cdk5 entirely or to have a very active form of it. She and colleagues then removed some of the cells and analyzed their growth in a petri dish.
"We show that if Cdk5 fails to facilitate CASK, then there is a very profound defect in synapse formation," Dr. Tsai said.
It affects the formation of synapses, reducing the number formed and impairing their function, she said.
People with autism spectrum disorders suffer in varying degrees from limited social interactions, lack of verbal and non-verbal communication and other abilities.
The exact cause of autism is unknown.
"The most accepted hypothesis for autism is that there is a defect in synapse formation," Dr. Tsai said, adding that mutations of genes directly connected to CASK have already been identified as being associated with autism.
Mutations of CASK and Cdk5 are also identified in certain patients with mental retardation.
"I think this study strongly suggests this pathway involving Cdk5 ... is intimately involved (in autism)," she said.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl...y/Science/home

ciaobox2007 · 12-06-2007, 06:30 AM

You had me at the title.

zimmy61 · 12-06-2007, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ciaobox2007

You had me at the title.

even enzymes are getting more action than me these days. fuckers.

ciaobox2007 · 12-06-2007, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zimmy61

even enzymes are getting more action than me these days. fuckers.

I thought the scientists were getting the action. I guess I meant
"you had me at sub-title". And I guess it all depends on who the fingering was benefitting.

zimmy61 · 12-06-2007, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ciaobox2007

I thought the scientists were getting the action. I guess I meant
"you had me at sub-title". And I guess it all depends on who the fingering was benefitting.

It clearly states that the scientists were fingering the enzymes. I'd attach pics for further clarity but eric would ban me.

ciaobox2007 · 12-06-2007, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zimmy61

It clearly states that the scientists were fingering the enzymes. I'd attach pics for further clarity but eric would ban me.

But sometimes enjoyment comes purely from the process. Like cooking.

12-06-2007, 05:51 AM	#1 (permalink)
zimmy61 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,840 Thanks: 2 Thanked 7 Times in 5 Posts	Enzyme as autism culprit Scientists finger enzyme as autism culprit JULIE STEENHUYSEN Reuters December 5, 2007 at 10:48 PM EST CHICAGO — Autism and other brain disorders may be the result of a missing protein important for building communication networks in the brain, U.S. researchers said on Wednesday. Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found that an enzyme called Cdk5 that instructs a synapse-building protein called CASK may be going awry, causing a breakdown in the formation of synapses. Synapses allow information from one neuron to pass to another and are essential for the ability to learn and remember. "If there is a reduction in the number of synapses, that is going to profoundly affect the function of the nervous system," said Li-Huei Tsai, an MIT professor and Howard Hughes Medical Institute researcher, whose study appears in the journal Neuron. Cdk5 is a kinase, an enzyme that changes proteins. Its primary task is to help new neurons form and migrate to their correct positions during brain development. But Dr. Tsai's study suggests it may also play a role in the formation of synapses. The research offers a possible explanation for the underlying molecular causes of autism, she said in a telephone interview. Dr. Tsai and colleagues genetically modified mice to either lack Cdk5 entirely or to have a very active form of it. She and colleagues then removed some of the cells and analyzed their growth in a petri dish. "We show that if Cdk5 fails to facilitate CASK, then there is a very profound defect in synapse formation," Dr. Tsai said. It affects the formation of synapses, reducing the number formed and impairing their function, she said. People with autism spectrum disorders suffer in varying degrees from limited social interactions, lack of verbal and non-verbal communication and other abilities. The exact cause of autism is unknown. "The most accepted hypothesis for autism is that there is a defect in synapse formation," Dr. Tsai said, adding that mutations of genes directly connected to CASK have already been identified as being associated with autism. Mutations of CASK and Cdk5 are also identified in certain patients with mental retardation. "I think this study strongly suggests this pathway involving Cdk5 ... is intimately involved (in autism)," she said. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl...y/Science/home __________________ http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u...icon_bunny.gif
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12-06-2007, 06:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
ciaobox2007 motivational tool Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,073 Thanks: 53 Thanked 40 Times in 34 Posts	You had me at the title. __________________ what's the ratio of schrute bucks to stanley nickels?
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