Thu Mar 06 17:54:03 UTC 2025: **Bengaluru Scientists Identify Protein Key to Preventing Neurodegenerative Diseases**
**Bengaluru, March 7, 2025** – Neurobiologists at the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS-TIFR) have made a significant breakthrough in understanding neurodegenerative diseases. Their research, published in the *Journal of Cell Biology*, identifies a protein called Extended synaptotagmin (Esyt) as crucial for maintaining the health of membrane contact sites (MCS) within cells. Dysfunction of this protein could potentially trigger neurodegenerative diseases.
The study, led by Professor Raghu Padinjat, utilized the Drosophila model organism. Researchers found that Esyt, located near the cell membrane at the MCS (the interface between the plasma membrane and endoplasmic reticulum), plays a critical role in calcium signaling. This signaling is particularly important in photoreceptor cells of the retina, where calcium encodes information about light intensity.
The team discovered that Esyt’s ability to bind calcium is essential for adjusting MCS function in response to light. Loss of this calcium-binding ability impairs the cell’s ability to replenish lipids crucial for its function. This highlights the protein’s importance in maintaining cellular health and responsiveness to environmental stimuli. The findings offer a potential new avenue for understanding and treating neurodegenerative diseases.
First Piper 