Ly6/neurotoxin 1 is a
protein in humans that is encoded by the LYNX1gene.[5]Alternatively spliced variants encoding different isoforms have been identified.
Function
This gene encodes a member of the Ly-6/
neurotoxin gene family, a group of
lymphocyte antigens that attach to the cell surface by a
glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor and have a unique structure showing conserved 8-10 cysteine residues with a characteristic spacing pattern. Functional analysis indicates that this protein is not a ligand or neurotransmitter but has the capacity to enhance
nicotinic acetylcholine receptor function in the presence of acetylcholine. This gene may also play a role in the
pathogenesis of
psoriasis vulgaris.[5]
The LYNX1 gene codes for a protein (Lynx1) that binds to
acetylcholine receptors in the brain.[6] Lynx1 a member of the Ly6 superfamily of proteins that are capable of modulating neurotransmitter receptors.[7]
Lynx1 reduces adult visual cortex
plasticity by binding to
nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (NAchR) and diminishing
acetylcholine signaling.[9] After the developmental
critical period and into adulthood, both Lynx1 mRNA and protein levels increase in the adult V1 and the
lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN).[9] Lynx1 and nAChR mRNAs are co-expressed in the LGN, as well as in
parvalbumin-positive
GABAergic interneurons.[9] After monocular deprivation during the
critical period to induce
amblyopia, Lynx1 knock-out rat models spontaneously recovered normal visual acuity by reopening the closed eye.[9] Similarly, an infusion of
physostigmine to increase
acetylcholine signaling prompted recovery from
amblyopia in wild type mice[9] Inhibition of Lynx1 may be a possible therapeutic mechanism to prolong
synaptic plasticity of the visual cortex and improve binocular function of some
amblyopes.
See also
Other Ly6 family proteins that are expressed in the brain:
Lynx2,
LYPD6,
LYPD6B and
PSCA.[6]
^
abcMiwa JM, Lester HA, Walz A (Aug 2012). "Optimizing cholinergic tone through lynx modulators of nicotinic receptors: implications for plasticity and nicotine addiction". Physiology. 27 (4): 187–99.
doi:
10.1152/physiol.00002.2012.
PMID22875450.
Ly6/neurotoxin 1 is a
protein in humans that is encoded by the LYNX1gene.[5]Alternatively spliced variants encoding different isoforms have been identified.
Function
This gene encodes a member of the Ly-6/
neurotoxin gene family, a group of
lymphocyte antigens that attach to the cell surface by a
glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor and have a unique structure showing conserved 8-10 cysteine residues with a characteristic spacing pattern. Functional analysis indicates that this protein is not a ligand or neurotransmitter but has the capacity to enhance
nicotinic acetylcholine receptor function in the presence of acetylcholine. This gene may also play a role in the
pathogenesis of
psoriasis vulgaris.[5]
The LYNX1 gene codes for a protein (Lynx1) that binds to
acetylcholine receptors in the brain.[6] Lynx1 a member of the Ly6 superfamily of proteins that are capable of modulating neurotransmitter receptors.[7]
Lynx1 reduces adult visual cortex
plasticity by binding to
nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (NAchR) and diminishing
acetylcholine signaling.[9] After the developmental
critical period and into adulthood, both Lynx1 mRNA and protein levels increase in the adult V1 and the
lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN).[9] Lynx1 and nAChR mRNAs are co-expressed in the LGN, as well as in
parvalbumin-positive
GABAergic interneurons.[9] After monocular deprivation during the
critical period to induce
amblyopia, Lynx1 knock-out rat models spontaneously recovered normal visual acuity by reopening the closed eye.[9] Similarly, an infusion of
physostigmine to increase
acetylcholine signaling prompted recovery from
amblyopia in wild type mice[9] Inhibition of Lynx1 may be a possible therapeutic mechanism to prolong
synaptic plasticity of the visual cortex and improve binocular function of some
amblyopes.
See also
Other Ly6 family proteins that are expressed in the brain:
Lynx2,
LYPD6,
LYPD6B and
PSCA.[6]
^
abcMiwa JM, Lester HA, Walz A (Aug 2012). "Optimizing cholinergic tone through lynx modulators of nicotinic receptors: implications for plasticity and nicotine addiction". Physiology. 27 (4): 187–99.
doi:
10.1152/physiol.00002.2012.
PMID22875450.