Dissecting molecular pathways to resilience: the role of DRR1 (A03)

• Subject Area: Biological Psychiatry
• Term: from 2016 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 264810226

Down-Regulated in Renal cell carcinoma 1 (DRR1) is a stress-regulated actin binding protein. We have provided first evidence that neuronal DRR1 counterbalances negative consequences of stress by improving cognitive performance. Thus, DRR1 constitutes a resilience-promoting protein. Mechanistically, DRR1 interacts with AMPA receptors at the synapse and modulates spine and dendrite morphogenesis. Moreover, DRR1 is also prominently expressed and stress-regulated in endothelial cells and astrocytic end feet, emerging as a novel integrator of cell-to-cell communication that might mediate the stress-induced modulation of the neurovascular unit. In this project, we address DRR1-mediated mechanisms involved in shaping stress resilience.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1193: Neurobiology of Resilience to stress-related mental dysfunction: from understanding mechanisms to promoting prevention
• Applicant Institution: Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz
• Project Heads: Professorin Dr. Amparo Acker-Palmer; Professorin Dr. Marianne Müller