2023-05-02 22:45:11
| ▲ Research results have been announced that nerve cells maintain their functions by metabolizing glucose on their own. (Photo = DB) |
[메디컬투데이=한지혁 기자] A research result has been announced that nerve cells maintain their function by metabolizing glucose on their own.
The results of a study investigating the process of glucose metabolism in nerve cells were published in the journal ‘Cell Reports’.
The brain requires a large amount of energy to function properly, and glucose is the main source of energy for nerve cells that make up the brain. The adult brain accounts for 20-25% of total glucose consumption, and much more may be needed during brain development. However, it is not yet known how glucose is metabolized in the brain.
Although there is a hypothesis that glial cells play an important role in glucose metabolism, it is very difficult to isolate glial cells and neurons for research, so there are limitations in actually confirming this.
However, understanding the brain’s energy metabolism is very important as it can lead to the development of new treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
In this study, the research team generated human neurons using induced pluripotent stem cells. By supplying glucose with specific markers to neurons, they confirmed that the neurons might break down the glucose into smaller metabolites.
Next, they used ‘CRISPR’ gene-editing technology to remove two key proteins inside neurons that are important for absorbing and metabolizing glucose. Deleting only one of the two proteins inhibited the process of glucose metabolism in human neurons.
The researchers noted that these results suggest that human neurons have the ability to metabolize glucose.
Next, the researchers engineered the mouse model’s neurons to lack these two key proteins. Mice lacking either protein showed normal memory and learning abilities at 3 months of age, but severe declines at 7 months.
Mice deficient in the other proteins showed normal memory at both 3 and 7 months, but females showed decreased memory at 12 months. The researchers note that more research is needed to understand gender differences.
Finally, the researchers investigated how neurons adapt when glucose is not available as an energy source. Upon analysis, they found that other energy sources were used, including galactose, which was comparatively less efficient than glucose.
They concluded that neurons can metabolize glucose on their own, and that this process of glucose metabolism plays a very important role in maintaining normal function.
Medical Today Reporter Han Ji-hyeok ([email protected])
[저작권자ⓒ 메디컬투데이. 무단전재-재배포 금지]
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