Tapt1 and Suco Genes Crucial for Brain Development and Protein Homeostasis

A research team led by Prof. Xu Zhiheng from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has identified Tapt1, together with its partner Suco, as important genes for brain development. They play a vital role in maintaining the balance between protein synthesis and degradation. The findings arepublishedin theProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Brain development is the structural basis for the establishment of cognitive function, emotional regulation, and learning capacity. Disruptions in the developmental process, caused by factors like toxin exposure or gene mutations, can lead to severe disorders such as autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disabilities. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms that regulate brain development is essential for neuroscience and health care. Proper neural development relies on correct proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells. This process requires the synthesis of large amounts of different proteins. However, how the balance between protein synthesis and quality control is maintained has not been fully understood. To fill this knowledge gap, Prof. Xu's team has identified that a key gene, Tapt1 (mutations of which led to severe developmental disease), plays an essential role in maintaining the homeostasis of newly synthesized proteins and brain development.