Study of the molecular mechanism of synaptogenesis using withanolides, novel anti-dementia drugs

To clarify the molecular mechanism of sominone, we identified receptors or associated molecules in primary cultured neurons, which were phosphorylated by sominone stimulation using phosphorylation antibody arrays. The level of phosphorylated RET increased in microglias and neurons. The level of phosphorylated ACK1 increased in neurons. Knockdown experiments using siRNA showed that both RET and ACK1 were involved in dedritic extension. These results suggest that roles of RET and ACK1 as key molecules for reconstruction of the neuronal