14 Feb Queensland Scientists Demonstrate Enzymatic Release of Fatty Acids Key to Memory Formation
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Prof. Meunier
Prof. Frederic Meunier PhD
Professor and Academic Senior Group/Unit Leader/Supervisor
Queensland Brain Institute and
Dr. Akefe
Isaac O Akefe DVM, PhD
Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research
Queensland Brain Institute
The University of Queensland St Lucia
Academy for Medical Education, Medical School
Brisbane QLD Australia
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: The brain is the body’s fattiest organ, with fatty compounds called lipids making up 60% of its weight. Fatty acids are the building blocks of a class of lipids called phospholipids.
In our study, we first showed that levels of saturated fatty acids increase in the brain during neuronal communication and long-term memory formation, but we didn’t know what was causing these changes.
MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?
Response: Consequently, we embarked on the journey to uncover the possible mechanism underlying this process, and for the first time, we have identified an enzyme called Phospholipase A1 (PLA1), that interacts with another protein at the synapse called STXBP1 to form saturated fatty acids. Notably, our study has shown that STXBP1 controls the targeting of the PLA1 enzyme to the synapse where it coordinates the release of fatty acids and directs communication in the brain.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: This study indicates that this PLA1 enzyme, and the saturated fatty acids it releases, play a key role in memory acquisition within the brain.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a results of this study?
Response: The study has important implications for understanding how memories are formed and could lead to the development of new avenues for counteracting the devastating impact that ageing and dementia have on our capacity to retain memories.
MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add? Any disclosures?
Response: We acknowledge the contributions of our collaborators from the University of New South Wales, University of Strasbourg, University of Bordeaux, The Scripps Research Institute and the Baylor College of Medicine.
Citation: Akefe IO, Saber SH, Matthews B, Venkatesh BG, Gormal RS, Blackmore DG, Alexander S, Sieriecki E, Gambin Y, Bertran-Gonzalez J, Vitale N, Humeau Y, Gaudin A, Ellis SA, Michaels AA, Xue M, Cravatt B, Joensuu M, Wallis TP, Meunier FA. The DDHD2-STXBP1 interaction mediates long-term memory via generation of saturated free fatty acids. EMBO J. 2024 Feb 5. doi: 10.1038/s44318-024-00030-7.
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Last Updated on February 14, 2024 by Marie Benz MD FAAD