SKKU team finds control mechanism of neuron necrosis in Alzheimer’s

Researchers at Sunkyunkwan University School of Pharmacy have released a study result, which can be applied to preventing and treating Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Researchers at Sunkyunkwan University School of Pharmacy, led by Professor Jo Dong-gyu, have released a new study result that can be applied to preventing and treating Alzheimer’s disease in joint research with the Korea Brain Research Institute. (SKKU)

The team, led by Professor Jo Dong-gyu, has identified a new mechanism that inhibits necroptosis and amyloid accumulation while suppressing various dementia conditions in joint research with the Korea Brain Research Institute.

In a patient’s brain suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, the O-GlcNAcylation drops compared to a normal brain, they said. Based on the observation, researchers demonstrated for the first time that the recovery of O-GlcNAcylation suppresses necroptosis and other symptoms of dementia.

In AD patients and animal models’ brain, proteins associated with necroptosis are activated, which destroys the cell membrane in clusters. O-GlcNAcylation blocks the cell necrosis by applying itself to RIPK3, a core protein for cell death.

“O-GlcNAcylation seems to be closely related to various degenerative brain diseases, including Alzheimer’s dementia,” Professor Jo said. “The study could provide a new direction to overcome Alzheimer’s disease and degenerative brain disease.”

The study results were published Thursday in Science Advances Thursday.