Molecular switch that controls neuron communication discovered

November 29, 2013

Molecular switch: an image of a hippocampal neuron stained for endogenous RIM1 and SUMO. RIM1 is in red and SUMO in green. (Credit: University of Bristol)

University of Bristol researchers are a step closer to understanding how some of the brain’s 100 billion nerve cells coordinate communications.

Defects in this communication are associated with disorders such as epilepsy, autism and schizophrenia, and therefore these findings could lead to the development of novel neurological therapies.

Background

Neurons in the brain communicate with each other using chemicals called neurotransmitters. This release of neurotransmitter from neurons is tightly controlled by many different proteins inside the neuron. These proteins interact with each other to ensure that neurotransmitter is only released when necessary.

Although the mechanisms that control this release have been extensively studied, the processes that coordinate how and when the component proteins interact is not fully understood./.../neuroloy