Neurogranin
Encyclopedia
Neurogranin is a calmodulin-binding protein
expressed exclusively in the brain, particularly in dendritic spine
s, and participating in the protein kinase C
signaling pathway. Neurogranin is the main postsynaptic protein regulating the availability of calmodulin, binding to it in the absence of calcium
. Phosphorylation
by protein kinase C lowers its binding ability. NRGN gene expression is controlled by thyroid
hormones. Human neurogranin consists of 78 amino acid
s.
One study tells of potential link of neurogranin gene to the heightened risk of schizophrenia
in males, another study gives evidence of lowered neurogranin immunoreactivity in the brains of people suffering from schizophrenia.
Prior to its identification in the bovine and rat
brain in 1991, neurogranin was known as a putative protein kinase C-phosphorylated protein named p17. Human neurogranin was cloned in 1997 and turned out to be 96% identical to the rat protein.
Calmodulin-binding proteins
Calmodulin-binding proteins are, as their name implies, proteins which bind calmodulin.Examples include:* Gap-43 protein * Neurogranin * Caldesmon...
expressed exclusively in the brain, particularly in dendritic spine
Dendritic spine
A dendritic spine is a small membranous protrusion from a neuron's dendrite that typically receives input from a single synapse of an axon. Dendritic spines serve as a storage site for synaptic strength and help transmit electrical signals to the neuron's cell body...
s, and participating in the protein kinase C
Protein kinase C
Protein kinase C also known as PKC is a family of enzymes that are involved in controlling the function of other proteins through the phosphorylation of hydroxyl groups of serine and threonine amino acid residues on these proteins. PKC enzymes in turn are activated by signals such as increases in...
signaling pathway. Neurogranin is the main postsynaptic protein regulating the availability of calmodulin, binding to it in the absence of calcium
Calcium
Calcium is the chemical element with the symbol Ca and atomic number 20. It has an atomic mass of 40.078 amu. Calcium is a soft gray alkaline earth metal, and is the fifth-most-abundant element by mass in the Earth's crust...
. Phosphorylation
Phosphorylation
Phosphorylation is the addition of a phosphate group to a protein or other organic molecule. Phosphorylation activates or deactivates many protein enzymes....
by protein kinase C lowers its binding ability. NRGN gene expression is controlled by thyroid
Thyroid
The thyroid gland or simply, the thyroid , in vertebrate anatomy, is one of the largest endocrine glands. The thyroid gland is found in the neck, below the thyroid cartilage...
hormones. Human neurogranin consists of 78 amino acid
Amino acid
Amino acids are molecules containing an amine group, a carboxylic acid group and a side-chain that varies between different amino acids. The key elements of an amino acid are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen...
s.
One study tells of potential link of neurogranin gene to the heightened risk of schizophrenia
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by a disintegration of thought processes and of emotional responsiveness. It most commonly manifests itself as auditory hallucinations, paranoid or bizarre delusions, or disorganized speech and thinking, and it is accompanied by significant social...
in males, another study gives evidence of lowered neurogranin immunoreactivity in the brains of people suffering from schizophrenia.
Prior to its identification in the bovine and rat
Rat
Rats are various medium-sized, long-tailed rodents of the superfamily Muroidea. "True rats" are members of the genus Rattus, the most important of which to humans are the black rat, Rattus rattus, and the brown rat, Rattus norvegicus...
brain in 1991, neurogranin was known as a putative protein kinase C-phosphorylated protein named p17. Human neurogranin was cloned in 1997 and turned out to be 96% identical to the rat protein.