LYNX1
Description
The LYNX1 (Ly6/neurotoxin 1) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 8.
LYNX1 (Ly6/neurotoxin 1) is a protein encoded by the LYNX1 gene in humans. It belongs to the Ly-6/neurotoxin gene family, characterized by surface attachment through a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor and a unique structure with conserved cysteine residues. LYNX1 does not act as a ligand or neurotransmitter but enhances nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) function in the presence of acetylcholine. This protein is implicated in psoriasis vulgaris pathogenesis and plays a role in regulating visual plasticity. Transgenic mice lacking LYNX1 expression exhibit an abnormal critical period of neuroplasticity in the visual cortex, resulting in rapid recovery from amblyopia in adulthood. This suggests LYNX1 contributes to reducing synaptic plasticity during its normal expression in the adult brain. LYNX1 reduces adult visual cortex plasticity by binding to nAChRs and decreasing acetylcholine signaling.
LYNX1 interacts with different nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subtypes, affecting their function and expression. It modulates nAChR activity based on the specific subtype and stoichiometry, impacting nAChR trafficking, cell surface expression, and single-channel properties. LYNX1 enhances desensitization of alpha-4:beta-2-containing nAChRs, promoting larger acetylcholine (ACh)-evoked currents. It regulates nAChR assembly in the endoplasmic reticulum, shifting stoichiometry from high sensitivity alpha-4(2):beta-2(3) to low sensitivity alpha-4(3):beta-2(2) nAChRs. LYNX1 also modulates alpha-3:beta-4-containing nAChRs, reducing their cell surface expression. This suggests an interaction with nAChR alpha-3(-):(+)beta-4 subunit interfaces, likely through an allosteric mechanism. Consequently, LYNX1 affects single-channel properties, decreasing conductance, altering burst proportions, and enhancing desensitization/inactivation. These effects are greater in (alpha-3:beta-2)(2):alpha-3 compared to (alpha-3:beta-2)(2):alpha-5 nAChRs. LYNX1‘s activity prevents plasticity in the primary visual cortex late in life.
Associated Diseases
- fragile X syndrome
- focal palmoplantar and gingival keratoderma
- ichthyosis, lamellar, autosomal dominant
- hereditary palmoplantar keratoderma, Gamborg-Nielsen type
- ichthyosis hystrix of Curth-Macklin
- focal palmoplantar keratoderma
- pretibial dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa
- porokeratosis plantaris palmaris et disseminata
- autosomal dominant epidermolytic ichthyosis
- Olmsted syndrome 1
- porokeratosis of Mibelli
- spinocerebellar ataxia type 23
- pityriasis rubra pilaris
- erythrokeratodermia variabilis
- leukoencephalopathy, progressive, with ovarian failure
