title: Physiological and pathophysiological functions of Swiprosin-1/EFhd2 in the nervous system.
abstract: Synaptic dysfunction and dysregulation of Ca(2+) are linked to neurodegenerative processes and behavioural disorders. Our understanding of the causes and factors involved in behavioural disorders and neurodegeneration, especially Alzheimer's disease (AD), a tau-related disease, is on the one hand limited and on the other hand controversial. Here, we review recent data about the links between the Ca(2+)-binding EF-hand-containing cytoskeletal protein Swiprosin-1/EFhd2 and neurodegeneration. Specifically, we summarize the functional biochemical data obtained in vitro with the use of recombinant EFhd2 protein, and integrated them with in vivo data in order to interpret the emerging role of EFhd2 in synaptic plasticity and in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disorders, particularly involving the tauopathies. We also discuss its functions in actin remodelling through cofilin and small GTPases, thereby linking EFhd2, synapses and the actin cytoskeleton. Expression data and functional experiments in mice and in humans have led to the hypothesis that down-regulation of EFhd2, especially in the cortex, is involved in dementia.
authors: Division of Molecular Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany dirk.mielenz@fau.de.
authors: Dirk
authors: D
authors: Mielenz
authors: School of Biology, Medical and Biological Sciences Building, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9TF, U.K.
authors: Frank
authors: F
authors: Gunn-Moore
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009420:Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D021381:Protein Transport; D013569:Synapses / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; C502299:EFHD2 protein, human
keywords: Alzheimer's disease; GTPase; Swiprosin-1/EFhd2; actin; axonal transport; cofilin; tauopathy