Penn State researchers have found that a lattice-like structure inside neurons acts as a gatekeeper controlling what cells absorb. When the structure weakens, neurons take in more harmful proteins linked to Alzheimer's disease. Stabilizing it could lead to new treatment strategies.
The membrane-associated periodic skeleton, or MPS, sits just beneath the surface of neurons. It regulates endocytosis, the process by which cells pull in material from their surroundings.
Experiments showed that disrupting the MPS caused neurons to absorb substances faster. This included amyloid precursor protein, which breaks down into a toxic fragment associated with Alzheimer's.
"We discovered that this membrane skeleton is actively regulating the nutrient uptake process of neurons," said Ruobo Zhou, the study's corresponding author. Lead author Jinyu Fei added that the findings could open doors for therapies aimed at preserving the structure.
The work, funded by the National Institutes of Health, was published in Science Advances. Researchers used super-resolution imaging on lab-grown neurons to track the effects.
