A new study by Tel Aviv University, for the first time, found a direct and significant link between changes in G-protein-coupled receptors and the brain’s ability to get used to external changes
A new study by Tel Aviv University, for the first time, found a direct and significant link between changes in G-protein-coupled receptors and the brain’s ability to get used to external changes. The study, recently published in the journal Nature Communications, was conducted by Dr. Moshe Perens and his team from the Sackler Faculty of Medicine and the Purple School of Neuroscience at Tel Aviv University.
Our brain has a very large amount of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR). Activation of these proteins causes a chain of chemical reactions within the cell. They are very common in the brain and are involved in almost every brain activity, such as learning and memory. The nerve cells in which GPCRs are common experience changes in their electrical voltage. 20 years ago, it was surprisingly discovered that GPCRs are voltage-dependent, meaning they sense the changes in the electrical voltage of nerve cells and change their function as voltage-dependent. To date, however, it has not been clear whether dependence on GPCRs protein stress has a physiological significance that affects brain activity, our perception, and behavior. In fact, the scientific mindset was that this dependence on stress has no physiological significance.
Dr. Perens and his team investigated, using the fruit fly’s olfactory system, whether the dependence on the voltage of GPCRs is important for brain function. To this end, the researchers decided to focus on one receptor from the G-protein-coupled receptor family. In getting used to the smell, a process in which the intensity of the reaction to the smell decreases as a result of continuous exposure to it.Thanks to this mechanism, a few minutes after entering a room with a distinct smell – stop smelling it.
Dr. Perens explains: “Nerve cells are able to communicate with each other, and brain flexibility is expressed in the ability of nerve cells to make new connections with each other and change existing connections – and thus influence behavior. Type A muscarinic protein is involved in strengthening the bond between nerve cells, and strengthening this bond causes flies to get used to the smell and indicates normal brain flexibility. “
During the study, the researchers were able by genetic editing to neutralize the voltage sensor of the muscarinic type A protein and thus eliminate its dependence on the electrical voltage of the nerve cell. To the process of getting used to an excessive and uncontrolled odor. Dr. Perens adds: “We found that the receptor in question is very much involved in strengthening the intercellular connection in the brain, much more than we thought. When we turned off its voltage sensor, the connection between nerve cells became too strong.
According to Dr. Perens, “These findings change our perception of G-protein coupled receptors to date have not addressed the effect of electrical voltage on their function and its implications for brain flexibility and behavior. These receptors are involved in many systems and brain diseases, and we have now discovered a control mechanism on which drug treatment can be tried. Following this, we continue to investigate additional receptors. It is likely that their dependence on the electrical voltage is important in other systems and not only in the odor system. “
It should be noted that this study by Dr. Perens is a follow-up to a study conducted by his parents, Prof. Hannah Perens and the late Prof. Yitzhak Perens, about two decades ago. They were the first to discover that GPCR receptors can sense electrical voltage in cells The current study by Dr. Perens and his team moves to the next stage, connecting molecules, brain and behavior and showing for the first time that eliminating their ability to sense electrical voltage, affects brain activity and our ability to adapt to the environment optimally.
To the scientific paper
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