Migrating Neurons
UAB researchers have gained new insight into how the embryonic brain develops, a finding that might help prevent developmental disorders such as mental retardation and epilepsy. The findings, published in Cell, identify an enzyme that controls how neurons, which form at the central core of the brain, migrate to their proper position in the brain as it forms. "A protein known as Slit has long been known to repulse, or push, neurons in the proper direction," says Wen-Cheng Xiong, M.D., assistant professor of pathology. "We found that an enzyme known as srGAP interacts with a Slit receptor called Robo. This interaction plays a key role in stimulating neurons to migrate to their proper positions."
Contact Bob Shepard, Media Relations, 205-934-8934 or [email protected].
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