Question

Spinal muscular atrophy is the congenital degeneration of the anterior horns of the spinal cord. What is the importance of Survival of Motor Neuron protein (encoded by SMN1 gene) for the function of anterior horns?

1) It is not important for the function of anterior horns
2) It is important for the function of anterior horns
3) It is important for the function of posterior horns
4) It is important for the function of lateral horns

Answer 1

The Survival of Motor Neuron protein is crucial for the function of the anterior horns of the spinal cord, playing a pivotal role in motor neuron health and muscle movement control.

Step-by-step explanation:

The importance of the Survival of Motor Neuron protein (SMN1), which is encoded by the SMN1 gene, is critical for the function of the anterior horns of the spinal cord. The anterior horns, also known as the ventral horns, contain multipolar motor neurons which are responsible for sending out motor signals to the body's skeletal muscles.

These lower motor neurons found in the ventral horn, control voluntary muscle movement and their health is essential for normal muscular function. In the case of spinal muscular atrophy, a degenerative disorder, the loss of the SMN1 protein leads to the degeneration of these motor neurons in the ventral horn, resulting in weakened muscles and potentially leading to paralysis.