Oncogene Protein Stimulates Optic Nerve Regeneration
The rogue gallery of degenerative nerve diseases includes such afflictions as amyotropic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, deprivation of sight and hearing, along with many others. Regenerating nerves has been more promise than reality. But researchers at Boston Children’s Hospital have reported that stimulation of the c-myc oncogene and two growth control genes have resulted in unprecedented optic nerve regeneration. According to this piece: “When the researchers induced mice to make more c-myc, optic nerve regeneration was promoted, even when some time had elapsed after the injury. When they combined this approach with deletion of two other molecules known to inhibit regeneration (PTEN and SOCS3), they saw a synergistic effect. The RGCs’ survival was dramatically improved and their axons grew to the optic chiasm (the part of the brain where the optic nerves cross) and beyond–an unprecedented degree of regeneration.” MORE
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