{
  "id": 8079850,
  "title": "Activated learning-and-memory protein forms growing molecular chains, imaging reveals",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/activated-learning-and-memory-protein-forms-growing-molecular-chains",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-17T19:10:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-09-memory-protein-molecular-chains-imaging.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Researchers at the Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI) have discovered how the CaMKIIα protein, crucial for learning and memory, forms chain-like structures when activated. Published in Science Advances, the study reveals how these structures grow and are influenced by mutations linked to neurological disorders. Using high-speed atomic force microscopy, scientists observed that under conditions resembling those in brain-cell connections, CaMKIIα molecules assemble into chains containing several holoenzymes. This organization is enhanced when the protein is activated, opening up to form larger structures and incorporating phosphate groups, which help maintain its activity. The findings suggest that these structural changes facilitate the strengthening of brain connections and the formation of long-term memories, potentially explaining how small changes in protein shape can lead to significant effects on memory formation and neurological diseases.",
  "summary": "Researchers at the Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI) at Kanazawa University, Kyoto University, SOKENDAI and the National Institute for Physiological Sciences have revealed how CaMKIIα—a key brain protein involved in learning and memory—organizes itself into chain-like structures.",
  "key_points": [
    "CaMKIIα protein forms chain-like structures when activated.",
    "Structures grow up to several holoenzymes in length.",
    "Changes in protein shape linked to memory formation and neurological diseases."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}