How the human postsynaptic protein Drebrin binds to actin

Our brain depends critically on the transmission of signals between our neurons and malfunction of this system can lead to impairment and severe diseases. Therefore, researchers have been intrigued to understand how cell-to-cell communication in the brain works. As one neuron fires a signal, a receiving cell must be able to correctly detect that signal and give the information onwards. This communication happens at synapses, where small neurotransmitters, like dopamine and serotonin, travel to proteins at the receiving end. Although many insights into this process have been obtained from years of investigation, just how the reception of the signal on the outside of the receiving cell connects to changes inside that cell is still poorly understood. One protein, called drebrin, seems to play a critical role here, but currently not much is known about it. Together with researchers in Hungary, the structure and function of this protein will be examined to explain its activity and role in cognitive function. This has become all the more important, as plasma drebrin levels were recently shown to be promising biomarkers of cognitive decline in Alzheimer`s Disease.