Nogo A
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nogo A is a protein that has been identified as an inhibitor of neurite outgrowth specific to the central nervous system. Research suggests that blocking Nogo-A during neuronal damage (from diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis) will help to protect or restore the damaged neurons (Karnezis et al, 2004).
The Nogo gene contains the isoforms Nogo A, B and C. Nogo-A has two known inhibitory domains including amino-Nogo, at the N-terminus and Nogo-66, which makes up the molecules extracellular loop. Both amino-Nogo and Nogo-66 are involved in inhibitory responses, where amino-Nogo is a strong inhibitor of neurite outgrowth, and Nogo-66 is involved in growth cone destruction (Karnezis et al, 2004).
[edit] Potential Uses
The investigation into the mechanisms of this protein presents a great potential for the treatment of auto-immune mediated demyelinating diseases and spinal cord injury regeneration. It has also been found to be a key player in the process whereby physical exercise enhances learning and memory processes in the brain. [1]
[edit] References
- Karnezis et al (2004). "The neurite outgrowth inhibitor Nogo A is involved in autoimmune-mediated demyelination.". ''Nature Neuroscience 7 (7): 736–744.. doi:. PMID 15184901.
- Li M, Shi J, Wei Z, Teng FY, Tang BL, Song J. (2004). "Structural characterization of the human Nogo-A functional domains. Solution structure of Nogo-40, a Nogo-66 receptor antagonist enhancing injured spinal cord regeneration.". Eur J Biochem. 271 (17): 3512–22.. doi:. PMID 15317586.
- Li M, Liu J, Song J. (2006). "Nogo goes in the pure water: solution structure of Nogo-60 and design of the structured and buffer-soluble Nogo-54 for enhancing CNS regeneration.". Protein Sci. 15 (8): 1835–41.. doi:. PMID 16877707.
- Li M, Song J. (2007). "The N- and C-termini of the human Nogo molecules are intrinsically unstructured: bioinformatics, CD, NMR characterization, and functional implications.". Proteins. 68 (1): 100–8.. doi:. PMID 17397058.
- Li M, Song J. (2007). "Nogo-B receptor possesses an intrinsically unstructured ectodomain and a partially folded cytoplasmic domain.". Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 360 (1): 128–34.. doi:. PMID 17585875.
