In a new study, researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center solved the 100-year mystery of activating magnesium ions in cells. It is expected that this discovery will be the starting point for new drugs for the treatment of metabolic diseases (such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes) in the future. These researchers say that the activator of magnesium ions in cells is a metabolite called lactic acid. During strenuous exercise and many diseases (such as heart disease, diabetes, sepsis and cancer), the lactic acid in the blood increases.
The corresponding author of the paper, Dr. Madeshmuniswamy, Professor of Cardiology at the University of Texas Health Science Center, said: "Like a light switch, lactic acid is a signal that activates magnesium ions. In the presence of a lactic acid signal, these researchers have discovered Magnesium ions. The second discovery is a protein called Mrs2. The released magnesium ions are transported to cellular power plants called mitochondria, which are washed away from the endoplasmic reticulum organelles. These power plants produce ATP, which is An intracellular energy currency. It provides energy for all processes in the human body.
The co-author of the paper, Dr. W. Brianeeves, director of the University of Texas Health Science Center, said: "This approach is that we believe it is very important to our health. If there is a problem with the delivery of magnesium, the damage will continue, for example , The decline in mitochondrial function and energy production observed in type 2 diabetes and severe infections. IP3 was discovered as an activator of calcium ions in 1984. Since then, co-lead author of the paper, Dr. Kirsikamachandran in Muniswami’s laboratory The Ph.D. has made significant progress in the field of calcium ion research, and magnesium ion activator is still a mystery. I said.
The paper’s co-author, Travis Madaris, a graduate student in Muniswamy’s laboratory, said: “As a student in the laboratory, this discovery is exciting because it paves the way for the publication of multiple papers in the laboratory. Importantly, Many discoveries will improve human health in the future. It may lead to this situation."
Dr. Muniswamy summarized this finding: "Magnesium ions are necessary for life. It is present in our blood. It is used. A headache, it is used to treat many diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and epilepsy. Early-stage disease, but in order to make further progress, it is necessary to understand the dynamics of magnesium ions in the body. This discovery established a scientific world.