DGIST team first to uncover CASKIN2 protein's key brain function
Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) professor Ko Jae-won and his research team have identified, for the first time in the world, the function of CASKIN2. This brain protein plays a key role in precise neuronal signaling and memory formation. The school’s Center for Synapse Diversity and Specificity, led by Ko, announced that it has found that the CASKIN2 protein helps control how neurons send and receive signals at synapses, where one neuron communicates with another cell, usually another neuron. The study marks the first time the precise function of this protein has been uncovered. It is expected to yield crucial insights into the causes of — and potential new treatments for — brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and autism. The human brain contains billions of neurons that exchange information through synapses, where the sending and receiving ends must align with nanometer precision for accurate signaling. Until now, the molecular mechanisms behind this sophisticated alignment have remained unclear. The team discovered that the protein CASKIN2, lo
