Archive · 19 Dec 2025
Indian Researchers Discover Key Protein Link in Autophagy
Scientists in India found that a group of proteins called the exocyst complex helps cells clean up their waste.
This process, called autophagy, is important for keeping cells healthy.
When this process doesn't work right, it can lead to diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and cancer.
The researchers used simple yeast cells to study how these proteins help form 'trash bags' inside cells.
This discovery could help in developing new treatments for these diseases.
Researchers from JNCASR discovered the exocyst complex's role in autophagy, a process that clears damaged cell materials.
The exocyst complex, made up of 8 proteins, is crucial for forming autophagosomes, which are cellular 'trash bags'.
Defects in autophagy are linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and cancer.
The study used yeast cells to understand how the exocyst complex contributes to autophagy in higher organisms.
The findings, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, could lead to new therapies for diseases caused by autophagy defects.
- Who
- Researchers from JNCASR led by Prof. Ravi Manjithaya
- What
- Discovered the role of the exocyst complex in autophagy
- When
- Research published on December 19
- Where
- JNCASR, an autonomous institution under the Department of Science and Technology (DST)
- Why
- To understand and potentially develop therapies for diseases linked to autophagy defects
- Researchers
- JNCASR team led by Prof. Ravi Manjithaya
- Discovery
- Exocyst complex's role in autophagy
- Proteins Involved
- 8 proteins in exocyst complex
- Study Organism
- Yeast cells
- Journal
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
- Diseases Linked
- Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Cancer, Huntington’s
- Institution
- Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR)