Scientists Find Protein That May Boost Memory
2011
The hunt for a substance that can improve memory took a promising turn, as researchers said they had found a method that appears to reduce forgetting in rats, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.
According to a study published in the journal Nature, scientists from Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York showed for the first time that a molecule that occurs naturally in the human brain during memory formation appeared to help rats enhance the strength and duration of some types of memories.
Researchers said that when the substance -- known as IGF-II, a protein-like molecule important for cell growth and development as well as tissue repair -- was blocked from the brain, the rats did not remember what they had learned.
The findings are notable in part because they showed improvement in an area of memory known as declarative memory -- the ability to remember places, facts and things. Declarative memory is affected in Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, and researchers have long sought ways to improve or preserve it.
It is too early to say whether IGF-II will be useful in humans, but the substance may hold more promise than molecules that have been studied up to now, according to Elizabeth Phelps, a cognitive neuroscientist at New York University who studies human learning and memory. Phelps, who was not involved in the study, called the Nature research "rigorous" and thoroughly conducted.
One advantage of IGF-II is that it can cross the blood-brain barrier, so it could potentially be administered through the bloodstream or as a vapor through the nose, rather than injected directly into the brain. And because it exists in the body already, it is unlikely to be toxic.
Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2) is one of three protein hormones that share structural similarity to insulin.
Gene structure
In humans, the IGF2 gene is located on chromosome 11p15.5, a region which contains numerous imprinted genes. In mice this homologous region is found at distal chromosome 7. In both organisms, Igf2 is imprinted, with expression resulting favourably from the paternally inherited allele.
The protein CTCF is involved in repressing expression of the gene, by binding to the H19 imprinting control region (ICR) along with Differentially-methylated Region-1 (DMR1) and Matrix Attachment Region -3 (MAR3). These three DNA sequences bind to CTCF in a way that limits downstream enhancer access to the Igf2 region. The mechanism in which CTCF binds to these regions is currently unknown, but could include either a direct DNA-CTCF interaction or it could possibly be mediated by other proteins
Protein structure
IGF-2 exerts its effects by binding to the IGF-1 receptor. IGF2 may also bind to the IGF-2 receptor (also called the cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor), which acts as a signalling antagonist; that is, to prevent IGF2 responses.
Function
The major role of IGF2 is as a growth promoting hormone during gestation.
In the process of Folliculogenesis, IGF2 is created by Theca cells to act in an autocrine manner on the theca cells themselves, and in a paracrine manner on Granulosa cells in the ovary. IGF2 promotes granulosa cell proliferation during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, acting alongside Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH). After ovulation has occurred, IGF-2 promotes Progesteron secretion during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle together with Luteinizing Hormone (LH). thus, IGF2 acts as a Co-hormone together with both FSH and LH.
A study at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine found that IGF-II may be linked to memory.[1] The study found that it may play a key role in memory and could potentially be used to treat Alzheimer's Disease.[2][3]
Really? I did not know peptides can really improve memory. Well, I have not tried using IGF-II. Probably, it is the only peptides that enhances one's memory. I will give it a try next time to check whether it really improves memory or not.
Does other peptides also enhance a person's memory? I am a forthcoming peptides user. The peptides I ordered is PT-141. I am hoping that just like what IGF did to others, the PT-141 will also improve my memory.
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