Image of the Day: Fragile X

Researchers uncover the central role of a protein linked to Fragile X Syndrome in mice, one of the leading causes of autism and intellectual disability.


Register for free to listen to this article
Listen with Speechify
0:00
1:00
Share

Compared to an unaffected mouse brain (top), a mouse model of Fragile X Syndrome (bottom) lacks the ability to regulate certain proteins such as Brd4 (depicted here in fluorescent green).ROCKEFELLER UNIVERSITYFragile X syndrome is a leading cause of autism and intellectual disability, and is characterized by a loss of function of a particular protein, fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). In mice, this results in changes in chromatin regulation and abnormal gene expression. Scientists have previously discovered that FMRP plays an important role in regulating the synthesis of various proteins that control the activity of genes expressed in the mouse brain. One of these proteins is Brd4, which in the absence of FMRP begins to tinker unhindered with the expression of other genes.

In a new study, scientists found that inhibiting Brd4 with a drug could alleviate many of the changes linked to Fragile X Syndrome. The researchers believe that targeting proteins like Brd4 could lead the way to new treatments for the disorder.

See E. Korb et al., “Excess translation of epigenetic regulators contributes to fragile X syndrome and is alleviated by Brd4 inhibition,” Cell, doi:10.1016/07.033, 2017.

Interested in reading more?

Become a Member of

The Scientist Logo
Receive full access to more than 35 years of archives, as well as TS Digest, digital editions of The Scientist, feature stories, and much more!
Already a member? Login Here
3D illustration of a gold lipid nanoparticle with pink nucleic acid inside of it. Purple and teal spikes stick out from the lipid bilayer representing polyethylene glycol.
February 2025, Issue 1

A Nanoparticle Delivery System for Gene Therapy

A reimagined lipid vehicle for nucleic acids could overcome the limitations of current vectors.

View this Issue
Enhancing Therapeutic Antibody Discovery with Cross-Platform Workflows

Enhancing Therapeutic Antibody Discovery with Cross-Platform Workflows

sartorius logo
Considerations for Cell-Based Assays in Immuno-Oncology Research

Considerations for Cell-Based Assays in Immuno-Oncology Research

Lonza
An illustration of animal and tree silhouettes.

From Water Bears to Grizzly Bears: Unusual Animal Models

Taconic Biosciences
Sex Differences in Neurological Research

Sex Differences in Neurological Research

bit.bio logo

Products

Photo of a researcher overseeing large scale production processes in a laboratory.

Scaling Lentiviral Vector Manufacturing for Optimal Productivity

Thermo Fisher Logo
Collage-style urban graphic of wastewater surveillance and treatment

Putting Pathogens to the Test with Wastewater Surveillance

An illustration of an mRNA molecule in front of a multicolored background.

Generating High-Quality mRNA for In Vivo Delivery with lipid nanoparticles

Thermo Fisher Logo
Tecan Logo

Tecan introduces Veya: bringing digital, scalable automation to labs worldwide