Breakthrough Discovery: Protein Transports Choline Across Blood-Brain Barrier

In a groundbreaking study, researchers at the University of Queensland have discovered that the protein FLVCR2 acts as a molecular doorway, allowing the essential nutrient choline to cross the blood-brain barrier. Led by Dr. Rosemary Cater from the Institute for Molecular Bioscience, this finding could pave the way for designing drugs that mimic choline to treat neurological disorders like Alzheimer's and stroke.

Why this matters: This discovery has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of neurological disorders, offering new hope for millions of people worldwide affected by Alzheimer's and stroke. By understanding how to effectively cross the blood-brain barrier, researchers can develop more targeted and effective therapies, ultimately improving the quality of life for patients and their families.

The blood-brain barrier is a critical layer of specialized cells that prevents toxic molecules from entering the brain while allowing specific nutrients like choline to pass through. Choline plays a vital role in brain development, cell regeneration, gene expression regulation, and neuronal signaling. The recommended daily intake of choline is 400-500 mg, which can be obtained from choline-rich foods such as eggs, vegetables, meat, nuts, and beans.

Using high-powered cryo-electron microscopes, Dr. Cater's team visualized how choline binds to FLVCR2. The research revealed that choline sits in a cavity of FLVCR2, held in place by a cage of protein residues, as it travels across the blood-brain barrier. This discovery is critical for designing drugs that mimic choline, allowing them to be transported by FLVCR2 to reach their site of action within the brain.

The study's findings have significant implications for developing treatments for neurological disorders. By understanding the molecular mechanism of choline transport, researchers can now design drugs that leverage the same pathway to effectively cross the blood-brain barrier and target specific areas of the brain affected by conditions like Alzheimer's and stroke.

The research, funded by the National Institutes of Health, is published in the prestigious journalNature. As scientists continue to unravel the complexities of the brain and its interactions with nutrients and drugs, this discovery marks a significant step forward in the quest to develop more effective therapies for neurological disorders that affect millions worldwide.

Key Takeaways

• FLVCR2 protein acts as a molecular doorway for choline to cross the blood-brain barrier.
• Choline is essential for brain development, cell regeneration, and neuronal signaling.
• Researchers can design drugs that mimic choline to treat neurological disorders like Alzheimer's and stroke.
• Choline-rich foods like eggs, veggies, and nuts can provide the recommended 400-500mg daily intake.
• This discovery can lead to more targeted and effective therapies for neurological disorders.