轴突蛋白与神经精神性疾病

Neurexin and Neuropsychiatric Diseases

轴突蛋白特异性表达于哺乳动物神经元的突触前膜,其与突触后膜上的配体结合形成复合物,参与机体兴奋性和抑制性突触的分化及突触间信息传递,在神经系统的活动中有重要作用。因此,NRXN基因及neurexin蛋白异常会导致突触发育和功能障碍,引起神经元功能失调,该异常被发现与阿尔茨海默病、孤独症等神经精神疾病有关,会增加相关疾病的发病风险。因此,深入研究neurexin与疾病的关系,探索特异性的基因药物有望为相关疾病的治疗带来新的希望。

Neurexin expresses in the presynaptic membrane of mammalian neurons specifically, and connects to the postsynaptic ligands to form complexes. The complexes participate in differentiation of excitatory and inhibitory synapses and information transmission,playing a key role in the nervous system activity. Studies show that NRXN mutations can disturb the development and function of synapses, which results in neuron dysfunction. The abnormalities are associated with Alzheimer＇s disease, autism and other neuropsychiatric diseases, and can increase the risk of related diseases. Therefore lucubraring the relationship of neurexin and neuropsychiatric diseases, exploring specific gene drugs is expected to bring new hope for the treatment of related diseases.