Investigators from Columbia University Zero in on Drug Research (Structural and Molecular Basis of Choline Uptake Into the Brain By Flvcr2).

A recent report from Columbia University discusses the research findings on the structural and molecular basis of choline uptake into the brain by the protein FLVCR2. Choline is an essential nutrient for cell membrane synthesis, epigenetic modification, and neurotransmission, and the brain has a high demand for it. The study reveals that FLVCR2 is expressed in the blood-brain barrier and is responsible for the majority of choline uptake into the brain. The researchers also determined the structures of choline-bound FLVCR2 using cryo-electron microscopy, providing insights into how FLVCR2 binds choline and mediates its uptake. This research could potentially contribute to the targeted delivery of therapeutic agents to the brain. [Extracted from the article]