Enhancement of synaptogenesis by activation of teneurins
AssigneeThe Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
InventorsThomas C. Sudhof, Kathlyn J. Gan, Xuchen Zhang
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Abstract
Methods are provided for enhancing synaptogenesis. It is shown herein that the receptor for the circulating factor SPARCL1 (secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine-like protein) are teneurin proteins (Tenm1-4). The binding site for SPARCL1 is localized to domain 3, which specifically binds to the C terminal domain of SPARCL1 (SPARCL1-C). Contacting neuronal cells expressing a teneurin protein with SPARC is sufficient to increase synapse formation on the neuronal cells.
Claims20
A method of enhancing synaptogenesis, comprising the step of:
- contacting a neuron with an effective dose of a teneurin (Tenm) agonist;
- wherein the number of synapses is increased in the neuron relative to a neuron that is not contacted with a teneurin agonist.
A method of screening a candidate agent for activity as a Tenm agonist, the method comprising:
- contacting domain 3 of a teneurin protein with a candidate agent to determine if the candidate agent specifically binds to the domain 3 of the teneurin protein, wherein a candidate Tenm agonist specifically binds to the domain 3 of a teneurin protein.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.