X-LINKED MENTAL RETARDATION AND OLIGOPHRENIN-1

A Rho GTP-ase activating protein called oligophrenin-1 (OPHN-1) has a role in mental retardation (Govek E. et al. The X-linked mental retardation protein oligophrenin-1 is required for dendritic spine morphogenesis. Nature Neuroscience 7, 364-372, 2004). Non specific X-linked mental retardation has been related to mutations in 11 different genes: the one encoding for OPHN-1 was studied by Govek’s team. Resulted that the loss of OPHN-1 function impairs morphogenesis and stabilization of dendritic spine, crucial processes in synaptic plasticity related to learning and memory.

BM&L-June 2004