Research into axon degeneration hits a nerve

University of Queensland (UQ) researchers have made a significant discovery that could one day halt a number of neurodegenerative diseases.

Scientists at the Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) have identified a gene that protects against spontaneous, adult-onset progressive nerve degeneration.

Dr Massimo Hilliard said that the discovery of gene mec-17 causing axon (nerve fibre) degeneration could open the door to better understand the mechanisms of neuronal injury and neurodegenerative diseases characterised by axonal pathology, such as motor neuron disease, Parkinsons, Alzheimers and Huntingtons diseases.

This is an important step to fully understand how axonal degeneration occurs, and thus facilitates development of therapies to prevent or halt this damaging biological event, Dr Hilliard said.

Dr Hilliard runs a laboratory at QBI specialising in neuronal development, and focuses on how nerves both degenerate and regenerate.

The team found that mec-17 protects the neuron by stabilising its cytoskeletal structure, allowing proper transport of essential molecules and organelles, including mitochondria, throughout the axon.

This discovery has also the potential to accelerate the identification of human neurodegenerative conditions caused by mutations in genes similar to mec-17.

Its our hope that this could one day lead to more effective treatments for patients suffering from conditions causing neuronal degeneration, Dr Hilliard said.

This discovery highlights the axon as a major focal point for the health of the neuron.

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Research into axon degeneration hits a nerve

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