Sci Adv: New drug to ease stroke symptoms in mice

, July 4, 2020 /--- PRNewswire/ -- Neuroscientists at the University of Pittsburgh Brain Research Institute have discovered a new drug that protects the brain during and after a stroke, according to a recent studyThe study, recently published in the journal Science Advance, shows that injured neurons can still survive if they do not get into the path of death"In clinical practice, there is no drug that can stop cell deaths after a stroke," said Anthony Schulien, lead author of the studyThese trials offer new therapeutic targets, and we hope to one day apply them to clinical treatmentDr Elias Aizenman, senior author of thearticle(picture:explains that strokes occur because blood clots block the cerebrovascular vessels, preventing blood and oxygen from reaching neurons and causing neurons to die"We're looking for ways to prevent other neurons from dyingIf we can do this, stroke patients may be better off, and we may be better able to help stroke patients intervene effectively if they are unable to seek medical attention in a timely manner"
previously published study, Aizenman's team showed that the interaction between the cell membrane potassium channel protein Kv2.1 and the syntaxin protein causes potassium ions to leak out of neurons, triggering cell deathThey found that using an experimental compound called TAT-C1aB could prevent cell death by interfering with the interaction between syntaxin and Kv2.1in the new study,, researchers identified two types of Kv2.1 channels in the membrane of neuronal cellsOne channel usually involves cell excitement, while the other allows other new Kv2.1 channels to enter the membrane, promoting the release of potassium and eventually causing the death of neuronal cellswith this understanding, scientists have created a new protein called TAT-DP-2, which destroys these new channels into the cell membrane, keeping potassium in the cell and preventing the cell from dying The area of stroke damage in mice receiving TAT-DP-2 injections after stroke decreased significantly and their long-term nerve function was improved (Bio Valley Bioon.com) source: New drug sles stroke in the mice original origin: "Targeted disruption of Kv2.1-VAPA association smnos neuroprotection against ischemic in mice by declustering Kv2.1 channels" Science Advances (2020) advances.sciencemag.org/lookup 1126/sciadv.eaaz8110