PSY397H5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Cell Adhesion Molecule, Tubulin, Cytoskeleton
Document Summary
Eph receptors: molecules of brain development involved in adult hippocampal plasticity. Molecules involved in the development of the brain have been found to play roles in the functioning of the mature cns: neurotrophic factors, receptor tyrosine kinases, cell adhesion molecules, components of cytoskeletal processes. How could we manipulate the eph system: selective drugs (none available, antisense or rnai (numerous technical issues but possible, gene targeting (most precise and technically feasible, sister receptors, sister ligands, overlapping expression, compensation. The epha5-igg immunoadhesin works like a highly specific antagonist antibody. The ephrina5-igg immunoadhesin works like a highly specific agonist antibody. Epha5-igg binds to ephrin ligands, scavenges them, and makes them inaccessible to endogenous receptors. Immunoadhesins are large and do not cross the blood brain barrier: bilateral infusion into the hippocampus using osmotic minipumps ephrina5-igg dimerizes epha receptors and induces their autophosphorylation and signaling. Infusion of immunoadhesins into the hippocampus ephrina5-igg induces epha5 phosphorylation.
