Koç University Researchers Uncover SNUPN Gene Responsible for a New Muscular Disorder
Release Date 2024-04-19 15:24
Highlighted NewsA groundbreaking study, recently published in Nature Communications, sheds light on a newly identified subtype of muscular dystrophy, revealing an unsuspected role of SNUPN gene in muscle cell function.
Led by Assistant Prof. Dr. Nathalie Escande Beillard, Prof. Dr. Hülya Kayserili, and Prof. Dr. Piraye Oflazer, a team of PhD students and postdoc from Koç University Faculty of Medicine embarked on a broad investigation to decipher the genetic underpinnings of a mysterious condition identified in a case evaluated at Koç University Hospital.
The functional study was conducted at Koç University with the support of TÜBİTAK BİDEB 2232 International Outstanding Researcher and KUTTAM. 18 new patients recruited from 11 different countries with similar muscular dystrophy and neurological symptoms revealed a potentially wider prevalence of this condition than initially presumed. Through deep genetic and functional analyses on patient’s cells and tissues, the team identified alterations in the SNUPN as the causative factor for this debilitating disorder.
"This study represents a significant leap forward in our understanding and diagnosis of muscular dystrophies" remarked Assistant Prof. Dr. Nathalie Escande Beillard. "Our findings underscore for the first time the critical role of the Snurportin-1 protein encoded by the SNUPN gene in maintaining the structural integrity and function of muscle cells."
The illness shares similarities with SMA, not just in its impact on muscle tissue, but also in its progressive course and potential lethality. The Snurportin-1 protein involved in the newly identified disease interacts within the cell with the protein causing SMA. Since SMA treatment is currently applied but still lacks full efficacy, ongoing research aims to provide evidence that may help SMA patients as well. Thanks to the animal model that has been generated in the zebrafish laboratory, researchers will continue to explore the role of this protein in muscle homeostasis and develop new treatment strategies.
Professor Aylin Küntay Academia Europaea Membership
Professor Aylin Küntay, Dean of the College of Social Sciences and Humanities, has been honored with a prestigious Membership at the Academia Europaea. The Academia Europaea, established in 1988, stands as a distinguished European Academy of Humanities, Letters, and Sciences, comprising esteemed individual members dedicated to advancing knowledge and education throughout Europe. Professor Küntay's elevation to this esteemed position underscores her significant contributions to the fields of language and communication development, sociocognitive development, social interaction, gesture studies, child-directed input and interaction, as well as her pioneering work in the realms of social robots and education.
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