Key Protein Discovered That Allows Nerve Cells to Repair Themselves (2 of 2) (IMAGE)

Penn State

Key Protein Discovered That Allows Nerve Cells to Repair Themselves (2 of 2)

Caption

The research led by Rolls describes a newly discovered mechanism that allows microtubules to all grow in the same direction when they arrive at a branch point in dendrites. The scientists propose that one of the proteins that they link to this process acts as an anchor at branch points to concentrate the rest of the machinery that is required. This anchor protein is Apc2. It is linked to a green fluorescent protein and is expressed in neurons in the image. The bright green spots of Apc2-GFP in the upper panel are seen to localize at branch points in the lower panel, where a red marker reveals cell shapes.

Credit

Melissa Rolls Lab, Penn State University

Usage Restrictions

The credit must be published along with the image.

License

Licensed content

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.