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Key Protein Vital for Neurons – Without It Axons Break, Synapses Die
- gardenfelder 3y ago>In a study conducted by MIT’s Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, researchers found that a protein named perlecan plays a crucial role in maintaining the structural integrity of neurons. Perlecan is part of the extracellular matrix that surrounds cells and helps them develop in a supportive, yet non-rigid environment. The study revealed that, without perlecan, the axons (long projections of neurons used for connection) can break apart during development, leading to the death of synapses (neuronal connections)
- allears 3y agoInteresting article, but there's no mention of the sources of perlecan. Is it dietary, is it synthesized in the body? I'm sure this is of great interest to biologists, but does it have any implications for the rest of us?