New proteins were found to be associated with Alzheimer's disease risk

According to a new study from the University of Southern California, mutations in a newly discovered small protein are associated with a significant increase in the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, expanding the known genetic targets of the disease and providing a new potential treatment pathway
.

The protein, called SHMOOSE, is a tiny "microprotein" encoded
by a newly discovered gene in the mitochondria where cells produce energy.

The study was published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry on
Wednesday, September 21.

The researchers say the huge risk and high prevalence of this previously unconfirmed mutation distinguishes it from
other proteins linked to Alzheimer's disease.

Pinchas Cohen, professor of gerontology, medicine and biological sciences and senior author of the study, said: "This discovery opens up exciting new directions for the development of precision medicine therapies for Alzheimer's disease, with SHMOOSE as the target area
.

Brendan Miller, a 22-year-old doctoral student majoring in neuroscience and the first author of the study, used big data techniques to identify genetic variants
in mitochondrial DNA associated with disease risk.

This microprotein appears to alter energy signaling and metabolism
in the central nervous system.

An emerging field of study

These findings highlight the importance of the relatively new field of microproteins
.

"The field of microproteins is still very new
.

Researchers at the University of Southern California, Leonard Davis, are leaders in microprotein research, especially those encoding the mitochondrial genome
.

Brendan Miller, Su-Jeong Kim, Hemal H.