Synaptic jacks of all trades
Two recent papers explore the role of schizophrenia susceptibility factors neuregulin 1 and its receptor ErbB4 in brain development andContinue Reading
Tag: synapse
Locating neuroligin 4
Two recent studies in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences illuminate the workings of neuroligin 4, a protein associatedContinue Reading
Hyperactive clues to depression
A recent report in Nature links hyperactive synapses in the lateral habenula to learned helplessness in rats — a modelContinue Reading
A brain wrought without omega-3
A diet deficient in omega-3 fatty acids interferes with normal brain function, according to a report in Nature Neuroscience. MiceContinue Reading
Post-synaptic parts list
Researchers have identified 1461 proteins in the human post-synaptic density, a multi-protein complex that helps neurons communicate with each other.Continue Reading
New technologies probe neurexin-neuroligin partnership
Two reports reveal new facets of the interaction between neurexin and neuroligin — molecules implicated in schizophrenia and other brainContinue Reading
Cancer protein directs synapse formation
A tumor suppressor best known for its role in colorectal cancer plays a crucial role in forming connections between neurons,Continue Reading
New partners for neurexin
Scientists have discovered that neurexins — proteins linked to autism — bind to a wide variety of molecules at theContinue Reading
Synaptic convergence
A new study fingers a diverse array of copy number variants (CNVs) — duplications or deletions of DNA — in schizophrenia. ManyContinue Reading
Neurexin goes it alone
Known for partnering with other proteins to shape the connections between neurons called synapses, neurexins may powerfully regulate these junctionsContinue Reading
Mouse models reveal workings of neuroligin-1
Researchers are tinkering with mouse models to investigate a protein, neuroligin-1, that helps wire neurons together and that has beenContinue Reading
A mixed economy of schizophrenia genetics
A new mutation in the SHANK3 gene adds to the burgeoning catalog of genetic variants — both rare and common — foundContinue Reading
Michele Solis 