New mode of cellular communication discovered in the brain
Tuesday, July 16, 2013 - 18:00
in Biology & Nature
Exosomes (red arrow) are small vesicles that contain proteins and nucleic acids. Researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) have discovered a new form of communication between different cell types in the brain. Nerve cells interact with neighboring glial cells, which results in a transfer of protein and genetic information. Nerve cells are thus protected against stressful growth conditions. The study undertaken by the Mainz-based cell biologists shows how reciprocal communication between the different cell types contributes to neuronal integrity. Their results have been recently published in the journal PLOS Biology.