Navigation Links
Salk researchers discover that stem cell marker regulates synapse formation
Date:1/30/2011

the current study's first author, took on the task of finding its accomplice.

He began by eliminating prime suspects in the plethora of proteins found on the muscle side of the synapse. "At the beginning it was like shooting in the dark because cdk5 has so many potential targets at the neuromuscular junction," says Yang. After eliminating the obvious candidates, the team finally considered nestin, based on evidence that cdk5 can phosphorylate nestin in some tissues.

To analyze nestin, the group employed mice in which the positive, synapse-stabilizing factor--known as agrin--had been genetically eliminated. As predicted, microscopic examination of diaphragm muscle tissue in agrin mutant mice showed a complete loss of dense receptor clusters that would mark a mature synapse, meaning that without the agrin "cement," synapse-dispersing activity had swept away the clusters.

However, when agrin mutant mice were administered an RNA reagent that literally knocks out nestin expression, the group made a dramatic finding: the pattern of receptor clusters on diaphragm muscle reappeared, reminiscent of synapses of a normal mouse--meaning that getting rid of nestin allows synapses to proceed even in the absence of the stabilizing glue.

"This in vivo experiment represents a critical genetic finding," explains Lee. "Later, we determined that nestin's basic function is to recruit cdk5 and its co-activators to the muscle membrane, leading to cdk5 activation and initiating the dispersion process." Additional experiments confirmed that nestin is expressed on the muscle side of the neuromuscular junction, in other words, in the "right" place, and that nestin phosphorylation is required for its newfound function.

Lee believes that information revealed by the study could enhance development of tissue replacement therapies. "Currently, in efforts to devise therapies for motor neuron disease or spinal cord injury there is a lot of focus is on how
'/>"/>

Contact: Gina Kirchweger
kirchweger@salk.edu
858-453-410-01340
Salk Institute
Source:Eurekalert  

0

GOOD

Page: 1 2 3

Related biology news :

1. Cold cases gone hot: Montreal researchers solve decades-old medical mysteries using genetics
2. Researchers identify biomarkers of poor outcomes in preemies
3. Researchers register new species using DNA-based description
4. Nearly 10 million euros ($13.6 million) in ERC grants for 6 Technische Universitaet Muenchen researchers
5. Climate change threatens many tree species, say Hebrew U. researchers
6. Researchers find smoking gun of worlds biggest extinction
7. 2 bacterial enzymes confer resistanceto common herbicide, say MU researchers
8. Go figure: Math model may help researchers with stem cell, cancer therapies
9. Researchers discover giant crayfish species right under their noses
10. Researchers unlock how progesterone increases breast cancer risk
11. In scientific first, researchers visualize naturally occurring mRNA
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
Related Image:
Salk researchers discover that stem cell marker regulates synapse formation
(Date:5/18/2013)... presented today at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) explores new ... impact of coffee on autoimmune disease and palliative care ... has been associated with reduced risk of fibrosis, a ... of java each month also correlate with lower risk ... Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, linked coffee consumption with reduced ...
(Date:5/17/2013)... of the South, but the night belongs to the amphibians. ... from the humidity and the sounds of wildlife. , ... toads and salamanders, is the center of amphibian biodiversity in ... auditorium for their symphonic choruses, the scientists of the U.S. ... front-row seats. , Amphibians, which rely on water ...
(Date:5/17/2013)... Why Tibetan antelope can live at elevations of ... research published in Nature Communications , investigators ... evidence that some genetic factors may be associated ... The data in this work will also provide ... biology of other ruminant species. , The Tibetan ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Coffee consumption associated with reduced risk of autoimmune liver disease 2Front-row seats to climate change 2Front-row seats to climate change 3Front-row seats to climate change 4The genome sequence of Tibetan antelope sheds new light on high-altitude adaptation 2
... 22, 2011 Jerusalem, Israel The Israeli Chairmanship of ... and innovation, announced today in Jerusalem that since the ... 220 cooperative R&D projects have been approved and supported ... Assembled in Jerusalem for the fourth and final ...
... tattoo that delivers drugs to combat the debilitating and ... women in Haiti on HIV prevention; to a rugged, ... order to save babies, lives in Africa, Canadian innovators ... quest to make a difference in the developing world ...
... School of Medicine have found in a Phase II ... stabilized or improved cardiac function in people with severe ... therapy, called SERCA2a, experienced substantial clinical benefit and significantly ... this population. The data are published online in the ...
Cached Biology News:EUREKA invested over 300 million euros in industrial initiatives over the past year 2EUREKA invested over 300 million euros in industrial initiatives over the past year 3EUREKA invested over 300 million euros in industrial initiatives over the past year 4Grand Challenges Canada announces innovative rising stars in global health 2Grand Challenges Canada announces innovative rising stars in global health 3Grand Challenges Canada announces innovative rising stars in global health 4Mount Sinai researchers develop new gene therapy for heart failure 2
(Date:5/17/2013)... Tooth decay is an epidemic in American children ... disease. The World Health Organization says that worldwide, 60–90% ... cavities. What are the long-term effects of this transmissible infection? ... between the oral bacterial imbalance and serious systemic issues like ... it is also 100% preventable? Answer: there has been no ...
(Date:5/16/2013)... New Zealand (PRWEB) May 16, 2013 In ... was invited to speak to doctors in China about ... Australia and NZ, this was her first trip to lecture ... Dr. Hart visited Guangzhou and Fuzhou, home to 12 and ... in China is very high at this point in time. ...
(Date:5/16/2013)... , May 16, 2013  HealthSparq, a ... of the nation,s largest regional health plans, will ... Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) Institute 2013 conference on ... survey results showing how health insurance companies across ... the consumer and marketplace demands for increased healthcare ...
(Date:5/16/2013)... On average, developing a new drug ... dollars. Despite this investment, less than 10% of drugs ... your clinical trial design optimally structured to balance time, ... Dr. Frederic Sax, Global Head of the Center for ... data, information and technology in upfront clinical trial planning ...
Breaking Biology Technology:Seeing the Future: How a Revolutionary New Bacterial Screening Device Can Predict a Patient’s Future for Tooth Decay 2Seeing the Future: How a Revolutionary New Bacterial Screening Device Can Predict a Patient’s Future for Tooth Decay 3HealthSparq to Reveal New Healthcare Transparency Benchmark Study at AHIP Institute 2013 2HealthSparq to Reveal New Healthcare Transparency Benchmark Study at AHIP Institute 2013 3Optimizing Clinical Trials Outcomes through Computer Assisted Design, New Life Science Webinar Hosted by Xtalks 2
... supplier of financial technology solutions and subsidiary of Marshall ... in Virginia and Pennsylvania. , ,On Monday the company announced ... loan origination solutions headquartered in Wayne, Pa. GHR was acquired ... in the third quarter of 2005. , ,Metavante said in ...
... June 20 issue of The Scientist , named Madison, ... the city's research facilities and open community make it one ... and life sciences company. , ,Jim Leonhart, executive vice president ... said that the magazine, which was released during the BIO ...
... husband or wife, daughter or son, sister or brother? , ... confessional. I've just been thinking about the IT/business relationship. When ... work, it's funny how frequently the conversation turns to communication, ... ,"Oh great!" you're thinking. "Now you want me to get ...
Cached Biology Technology:The Scientist magazine names Madison "hotspot" for biotechnology 2The Scientist magazine names Madison "hotspot" for biotechnology 3Taking your work home 2Taking your work home 3
... griseolusthat inhibits protein synthesis. Acts by ... ribosomes. Reported to induce apoptosis in ... leukemia cells, Jurkat cells, ventricular myocytes, ... signals and immediate early gene induction. ...
5X StabilCoat Immunoassay Stabilizer is a 5X concentrate solution of StabilCoat Immunoassay Stabilizer. The shelf-life of 5X StabilCoat Immunoassay Stabilizer is 2 years when stored at 4C. Product ...
... IgM binds poorly to Protein A and, until ... for one- step IgM purification. Standard methods for ... they are not effective for removing all of ... Pierce has developed an ...
5X StabilCoat Immunoassay Stabilizer is a 5X concentrate solution of StabilCoat Immunoassay Stabilizer. The shelf-life of 5X StabilCoat Immunoassay Stabilizer is 2 years when stored at 4C. Product ...
Biology Products: