A new study led by researchers at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health examines how different versions of the same protein can alter neuronal communication.
The researchers found that neurons make several versions of a protein called synaptotagmin 7, and these versions behave very differently inside nerve terminals. Some form dynamic, liquid-like assemblies, while another forms more rigid structures. These differences are linked to how synapses respond and adapt when neurons communicate repeatedly.
The study, published Sept. 15, 2026, in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, shows how a relatively small change in the way a gene is processed can alter how a protein organizes itself and, ultimately, influences communication between brain cells. The work combines molecular biology, measurements of neuronal communication, and ultra-high-resolution 3D microscopy.
The findings may have implications for understanding neurodegenerative diseases: one of the versions of synaptotagmin 7 the team identified forms solid aggregates that impair the functioning of synapses. Since protein aggregation is a hallmark of neurodegenerative disease, the study offers a concrete example of how the same protein can either support or disrupt brain function.
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