Fruit Fly Study Identifies Memory-Restoring Protein
Researchers discover a protein that keeps memory-related amyloid structures in a healthy, functional state.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Alzheimer’s
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A six-year study of 10 million fruit flies has identified the Funes protein as a key regulator for maintaining memory function. Researchers found that boosting this protein can effectively reverse age-related memory decline.
Why it matters
Memory loss in the study was linked to beneficial amyloid proteins hardening into rigid, harmful states. Maintaining these proteins in a flexible, functional form offers a potential new avenue for treating cognitive decline.
The study utilized a population of 10 million fruit flies observed over a six-year period from hatching until they reached 35 days of age. The project was supported by a research grant totaling $1.12 million, equivalent to €1 million, from the Hong Kong government.
The players
Rubén Hervás
He is a biochemist who led the international team of researchers investigating protein folding and memory.
University of Hong Kong
This institution served as the primary research base for the team that conducted the six-year study.
Blas Cabrera Institute of Physical Chemistry
This research institution collaborated on the study to analyze the physical properties of amyloid proteins.
Severo Ochoa Molecular Biology Centre
This facility is a major Spanish molecular biology research organization frequently involved in neurobiology studies.
The details
The Funes protein functions as a chaperone that prevents memory-related proteins from transforming into rigid, harmful amyloid structures. While increasing Funes production in aged flies restored memory, overproducing the CG6693 protein in young flies induced premature memory impairment.
Timeline
Researchers identified the role of the Funes protein in January 2026.
The findings regarding memory restoration in flies were published in October 2026.
The Big Picture
This research extends the study of the CPEB3 protein, which is the human functional equivalent of the amyloid protein Orb2 found in fruit flies. The findings establish a specific regulatory mechanism that controls how these proteins shift between beneficial and harmful states.
This research provides a new theoretical target for future drugs intended to maintain or restore the function of the human CPEB3 protein. While clinical applications remain in early stages, the findings offer a clearer understanding of how proteins contribute to memory loss.
The takeaway
The discovery suggests that memory loss is not necessarily an irreversible process but a failure of cellular protein management. Future therapeutic strategies may focus on chaperone proteins that keep amyloid structures in a flexible, non-harmful state.
Further reading
For more information on the latest breakthroughs in cognitive health, visit the Alzheimer’s section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by EL PAÍS.
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