Korean researchers propose nanomaterial-based treatments to inhibit protein aggregation that causes Lou Gehrig's disease

Feb 20, 2025

Image=Korea Institute of Basic Science

Korean researchers have proposed a new nanomaterial treatment that can effectively suppress the protein aggregation of TDP-43 (transactive response DNA-binding protein-43), the protein responsible for Lou Gehrig's disease (muscle atrophy).

Lou Gehrig's disease, a disease caused by the destruction of motor neurons, is known to occur due to abnormal aggregation of TDP-43 in nerve cells.

According to the Korea Institute of Basic Science on the 20th, Dr. Lee Young-ho's team from the Advanced Biopharmaceutical Research Department collaborated with Professor Hong Young-bin of Dong-A University, Dr. Nam Min-yeop of the Korea Brain Research Institute, and Professor Hong Byung-hee of Seoul National University to prove that graphene quantum dots (quantum dots) effectively block protein aggregation of TDP-43 proteins and control liquid phase separation in cells to protect neurons. The research team also confirmed that graphene quantum dots have a neuroprotective effect on other causative proteins that cause Lou Gehrig's disease, 'FUS' and C9orf72 mutant models. Unlike conventional treatments that focus on neuroprotection or anti-inflammatory effects, it is a treatment technology that directly targets protein aggregation and is expected to contribute to the development of other neurodegenerative diseases as well as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Meanwhile, the results of this study were published on the 4th by the top-level journal of nanoscience, the `ACS Nano' (ACS Nano).

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.