Monday, September 1, 2025
Science
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • HOME
  • SCIENCE NEWS
  • CONTACT US
  • HOME
  • SCIENCE NEWS
  • CONTACT US
No Result
View All Result
Scienmag
No Result
View All Result
Home Science News Biology

How a Malfunctioning Brain Transport Protein Sparks Severe Epilepsy

June 27, 2025
in Biology
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
Authors of the study
66
SHARES
599
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
ADVERTISEMENT

In a groundbreaking study published in Science Advances, researchers from the CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine have unveiled comprehensive insights into the critical role of the SLC13A5 membrane transporter in neuronal metabolism and its connection to a severe epileptic disorder. Citrate, a central metabolite in cellular biochemistry, is intricately involved in energy production and cellular signaling within neurons. This study elucidates how mutations in the SLC13A5 gene disrupt citrate transport, ultimately leading to developmental epileptic encephalopathy (DEE), a rare but devastating neurological condition.

Citrate serves multiple vital functions in cells, acting primarily as an intermediary in the citric acid cycle, a foundational metabolic pathway responsible for generating energy in the form of ATP. Beyond energy production, citrate contributes to biosynthetic processes essential for cell growth and maintenance. Notably, in neurons, citrate also functions as a neuromodulator, influencing synaptic activity. This dual role heightens the necessity for precise regulation of citrate uptake in the brain, a task mediated predominantly by the SLC13A5 transporter situated in the neuronal cell membranes.

The SLC13A5 protein belongs to a family of solute carrier (SLC) transporters that facilitate the translocation of various substrates across cellular membranes, playing critical roles in maintaining cellular homeostasis. In the brain, high levels of SLC13A5 expression ensure adequate citrate influx from the cerebrospinal fluid into neurons. When mutations impair this transporter’s function, citrate levels become dysregulated, which has been directly linked to the onset of DEE, a condition characterized by early-life seizures and neurodevelopmental impairment.

Despite the clinical significance, the molecular mechanisms governing how distinct SLC13A5 mutations lead to disease phenotypes were poorly understood until now. To address this, the CeMM team employed an advanced technique called deep mutational scanning (DMS), enabling the systematic evaluation of almost ten thousand possible genetic variants of SLC13A5 for their functional impact. This unprecedented scale of analysis allowed for the identification of critical mutations affecting transporter stability, cellular localization, and citrate uptake efficiency.

From this massive dataset, 38 mutant variants were further subjected to experimental interrogation to validate computational predictions and to dissect the biophysical alterations caused by these mutations. This integrative approach revealed that certain mutations lead to reduced protein expression at the membrane, while others compromise the transport kinetics of citrate, decreasing its cellular availability. Such molecular impairments collectively result in defective metabolic processes in neurons, thereby underpinning the pathological basis of SLC13A5 transporter disorder.

Moreover, the researchers introduced a novel framework to assess protein stability across distinct conformational states of SLC13A5, coupled with evolutionary conservation scoring to prioritize variants with probable pathogenicity. These innovative computational tools serve not only in characterizing rare disease mutations but also in expanding our understanding of population-level genetic diversity and its subtle impacts on protein function.

The implications of these findings extend far beyond the narrow confines of a single rare disease. Understanding how membrane transporters like SLC13A5 operate and fail at a molecular level provides essential insights into neuronal biochemistry and paves the way for rational drug design. Precision medicine approaches can now leverage this data to better diagnose and potentially develop targeted therapies for individuals afflicted by SLC13A5-associated epileptic encephalopathy.

“Systematic functional characterization of genetic variants is a powerful strategy, particularly to elucidate the molecular underpinnings of rare and complex human diseases,” notes co-first author Wen-An Wang. His colleague Evandro Ferrada adds that combining experimental data with computational modeling bridges the gap between genotype and phenotype, offering a comprehensive picture of variant effects that can inform clinical interpretation.

This work was made possible through synergy with the RESOLUTE and REsolution consortia, multi-institutional efforts geared towards decoding the entire family of SLC transporters and understanding their roles in cellular logistics. Patient-derived data, obtained from the TESS Research Foundation, further grounded the molecular findings within a clinical context aligned with patient needs.

Giulio Superti-Furga, senior author and scientific director at CeMM, emphasizes that this study exemplifies how blending large-scale mutational analysis with structural and functional elucidation can dramatically enhance our grasp of transporter biology. It underscores the broader principle that precision functional mapping of membrane proteins is essential for translating genetic variation into mechanistic insights and clinical solutions.

As the SLC13A5 transporter’s malfunction is implicated not only in epilepsy but might also be linked indirectly to other neurological and metabolic disorders, future investigations building on this work could unlock new therapeutic avenues. The potential to modulate transporter activity pharmacologically or through gene therapy offers hope for conditions that currently have no effective treatments.

In conclusion, this landmark study sets a high bar for variant effect mapping in membrane proteins and establishes a foundational knowledge base for rare disease research. By integrating deep mutational scans with computational and biochemical methodologies, the investigators have not only clarified the pathogenesis of SLC13A5 Citrate Transporter Disorder but have also broadened the horizon for understanding metabolic control in neuronal health and disease.


Subject of Research: Cells

Article Title: Large-scale experimental assessment of variant effects on the structure and function of the citrate transporter SLC13A5

News Publication Date: 27-Jun-2025

Web References:
10.1126/sciadv.adx3011

References:
Wang, W.-A., Ferrada, E., Klimek, C., Osthushenrich, T., MacNamara, A., Wiedmer, T., & Superti-Furga, G. (2025). Large-scale experimental assessment of variant effects on the structure and function of the citrate transporter SLC13A5. Science Advances, 11(26), eadx3011.

Image Credits:
© CeMM / © Franzi Kreis/CeMM

Keywords: Transporter proteins, Transmembrane proteins, Biomolecules, Life sciences, Cell biology

Tags: breakthroughs in epilepsy researchcitrate transport in neuronsdevelopmental epileptic encephalopathy researchgenetic mutations and epilepsymembrane transport proteins in neurosciencemetabolic pathways in brain healthneuromodulation and synaptic activityneuronal metabolism and energy productionroles of citrate in cellular signalingsevere epilepsy and citrate metabolismSLC13A5 transporter functionsolute carrier family transporters
Share26Tweet17
Previous Post

Regional rollout of therapeutic hypothermia for neonatal encephalopathy

Next Post

Dr. Dae Hyun Kim Appointed to Lancet Commission on Frailty

Related Posts

blank
Biology

Lower IGF1 Levels in Preeclampsia Affect Trophoblasts

September 1, 2025
blank
Biology

Seasonal Brain Shrinkage in Shrews Caused by Water Loss, Not Cell Death

September 1, 2025
blank
Biology

Unveiling Evolution in Gastrointestinal Strongyloidea Nematodes

September 1, 2025
blank
Biology

Microbiota’s Impact on Juvenile Chinese Alligators’ Survival

September 1, 2025
blank
Biology

New Insights into Pediatric Hypertriglyceridemia Causes

September 1, 2025
blank
Biology

Climate Change and Population Growth Fuel Wildlife Conflicts

September 1, 2025
Next Post
blank

Dr. Dae Hyun Kim Appointed to Lancet Commission on Frailty

  • Mothers who receive childcare support from maternal grandparents show more parental warmth, finds NTU Singapore study

    Mothers who receive childcare support from maternal grandparents show more parental warmth, finds NTU Singapore study

    27542 shares
    Share 11014 Tweet 6884
  • University of Seville Breaks 120-Year-Old Mystery, Revises a Key Einstein Concept

    956 shares
    Share 382 Tweet 239
  • Bee body mass, pathogens and local climate influence heat tolerance

    642 shares
    Share 257 Tweet 161
  • Researchers record first-ever images and data of a shark experiencing a boat strike

    509 shares
    Share 204 Tweet 127
  • Warm seawater speeding up melting of ‘Doomsday Glacier,’ scientists warn

    313 shares
    Share 125 Tweet 78
Science

Embark on a thrilling journey of discovery with Scienmag.com—your ultimate source for cutting-edge breakthroughs. Immerse yourself in a world where curiosity knows no limits and tomorrow’s possibilities become today’s reality!

RECENT NEWS

  • Clinicians Share Insights on Virtual Scribe Usage
  • Regulating PAI-1/tPA Pathway in Ovarian Health
  • SHAP Insights for Detecting Specific Arrhythmias via ECG
  • Linguistic Skills Affect Chinese Student Interpreters’ Performance

Categories

  • Agriculture
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Athmospheric
  • Biology
  • Blog
  • Bussines
  • Cancer
  • Chemistry
  • Climate
  • Earth Science
  • Marine
  • Mathematics
  • Medicine
  • Pediatry
  • Policy
  • Psychology & Psychiatry
  • Science Education
  • Social Science
  • Space
  • Technology and Engineering

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 5,182 other subscribers

© 2025 Scienmag - Science Magazine

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • HOME
  • SCIENCE NEWS
  • CONTACT US

© 2025 Scienmag - Science Magazine

Discover more from Science

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading