Pre-Birth Protein Deficiency Unveils Fragile X Syndrome Development

Fragile X syndrome (FXS), the leading form of inherited intellectual disability, has been found to develop before birth due to a deficiency in the protein FMRP, which plays a crucial role in mitochondrial function during prenatal development. Researchers discovered that brain cells damaged by the lack of FMRP can be rescued by enhancing mitochondrial function, offering potential avenues for early intervention and treatment strategies. The study also identified the regulatory role of FMRP on the RACK1 gene, highlighting the importance of prenatal development in FXS and providing a molecular link between FXS and autism spectrum disorder.