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JST Press Release

April 28, 2015
Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)
5-3, Yonbancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8666

Discovery of a novel mechanism of cell communication to suppress neurodegeneration

Molecular chaperones are known to suppress misfolding of cellular proteins in each individual cell. Here we reveal that molecular chaperones are unexpectedly secreted from cells and are transmitted to surrounding cells via exosomes, which leads to suppression of aggregate formation of misfolded proteins related to neurodegenerative diseases in surrounding cells.

Researcher Information

JST CREST
Research Area “Creation of a Novel Technology towards Diagnosis and Treatment Based on Understanding of Molecular Pathogenesis of Psychiatric and Neurological Disorders”
Research Theme “Development of Comprehensive Therapies for Polyglutamine Diseases”

Journal Information

Takeuchi T, Suzuki M, Fujikake N, Popiel HA, Kikuchi H, Futaki S, Wada K, and Nagai Y. “Intercellular chaperone transmission via exosomes contributes to maintenance of protein homeostasis at the organismal level”. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, Published Online April 27, 2015. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1412651112.

Contact

[About Research]
Yoshitaka Nagai, MD, PhD.
Section Chief, Department of Degenerative Neurological Diseases, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry
E-mail:

[About Program]
Tetsu Kawaguchi
Life Innovation Group Department of Innovation Research, JST
E-mail:
URL: http://www.jst.go.jp/kisoken/crest/en/index.html

Japanese


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