MemStick EU researchers identified a new peptide...
© 2011 EPFL
The European Consortium MemStick - Fp7 EU programme with 5 partners from Switzerland, United-Kingdom, Denmark and Spain, coordinated by Prof. Carmen Sandi, Brain Mind Institute, EPFL School of Life Sciences - has identified a new peptide mimetic that improves memory and neural function.
The Consortium members investigated the cognitive and neural plasticity effects of Plannexin, a mimetic peptide that targets specific sites in the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM). NCAM is localized to the surface of neurons, and is particularly enriched at the contact sites between neurons, called the synapses. In vitro, the peptide was found to facilitate neurite (neuronal projections) outgrowth in cultures of dissociated neurons from hippocampus. When administered in vivo in rodents, Plannexin improved spatial learning in normal mice as well as in mice showing cognitive deficits due to genetic alterations in their gene encoding NCAM (i.e., NCAM polysialylation).
In searching for the mechanisms elicited by the drug, the MemStick team found that Plannexin enhances excitatory synaptic transmission, increases synaptic contacts between neurons particularly engaged in memory formation, and drives glutamate receptors; mechanisms all linked with improved synaptic function.
This work underscores the potential for this peptide and its site of action as a novel target for the development of cognition-enhancing drugs.
Contact: Prof Carmen Sandi
Publication ref.:
Igor Kraev*, Christian Henneberger*, Clara Rossetti*, Lisa Conboy*, Lene B. Kohler, Martina Fantin, Alistair Jennings, Cesar Venero, Victor Popov, Dmitri Rusakov, Michael G. Stewart, Elisabeth Bock, Vladimir Berezin, Carmen Sandi (2011) A peptide mimetic targeting trans-homophilic NCAM binding sites promotes spatial learning and neural plasticity in the hippocampus. PloS One.
* Equal contribution *