Breakthrough Protein Found to Halt Muscle Degeneration
Researchers have uncovered the role of the protein chaperone UNC45 in maintaining muscle health by managing myosin quality. UNC45 helps fold myosin correctly and tags faulty proteins for degradation, preventing muscle disorders. The study, using advanced techniques like crosslinking mass spectrometry and X-ray crystallography, reveals how UNC45 distinguishes between healthy and defective myosin, linking myosin quality control to muscle diseases such as Freeman Sheldon Syndrome. This research could lead to better understanding and treatment of myopathies.