Beauties such as the cascading hues of flowers in spring and the majestic colours of a rainbow after the rain are definitely worth to gaze upon. With this, it can be said that a world without sight truly is a dull one. However, one does not need to fear now as the family of genes which are responsible for the regeneration of the optic nerve have been recognized. This hence brings light upon the treatments for diseases such as optic nerve stroke, spinal cord injuries as well as neurodegenerative diseases of the spinal chord and brain.
It is the axons of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) from the optic nerve which allow one to see as they aid in transmitting electrical impulses from the retina to the brain. Hence when one’s vision is impaired or lost, it is these RGCs which are damaged. Widely known, neurons have the potential to grow as usual during development and they can then switch off their growth ability when they are unable to reconnect efficiently as a result of diseases or injuries.
Nevertheless, with the discovery of a transcriptional repressor gene related to axon growth in RCGs and other central nervous system neurons namely the Kruppel-like- factor-4 (KLF4), regeneration of RCGs in the optic nerve is now made possible. Other than the KLF4 there is as well the KLF6, and these cluster of KLF genes have a regenerative purpose in several classes of the central nervous system. All in all with the discovery of these new wonders, researchers anticipate to further develop their studies in search of more beneficial uses for these genes.
xuyen lim [41349935]
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/167067.php
