Unexpected Self-Modification of Brain Enzyme Discovered at Nagoya University
Researchers at Nagoya University have uncovered a surprising capability of a brain enzyme, revealing its ability to modify itself by building polysialic acid.
Editorial Staff
1 min read
Updated about 12 hours ago
A recent study at Nagoya University in Japan has highlighted an unexpected function of a well-known brain enzyme. This enzyme can build a sugar chain on itself, a process that was not previously understood.
Once the enzyme modifies itself, it is secreted from the cell and becomes inactive. Interestingly, it has the potential to reactivate when it is outside the cell.
This discovery, published on June 19, 2026, opens new avenues for understanding the complex roles of enzymes in brain function and their potential implications.