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Postsynaptic organisation and regulation of excitatory synapses

Nature Reviews Neuroscience volume 1, pages 133–141 (2000)Cite this article

Abstract

Dynamic regulation of synaptic efficacy is one of the mechanisms thought to underlie learning and memory. Many of the observed changes in efficacy, such as long-term potentiation and long-term depression, result from the functional alteration of excitatory neurotransmission mediated by postsynaptic glutamate receptors. These changes may result from the modulation of the receptors themselves and from regulation of protein networks associated with glutamate receptors. Understanding the interactions in this synaptic complex will yield invaluable insight into the molecular basis of synaptic function. This review focuses on the molecular organization of excitatory synapses and the processes involved in the dynamic regulation of glutamate receptors.

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Figure 1: Postsynaptic structure.
Figure 2: Dynamic regulation of postsynaptic structure.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neuroscience, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 725 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, 21205, Maryland, USA

    Robert H. Scannevin & Richard L. Huganir

  2. Correspondence to R.L.H.,

    Robert H. Scannevin

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  1. Robert H. Scannevin
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DATABASE LINKS

PSD-95

SAP97

PSD-93

SAP102

SynGAP

CRIPT

Citron

CASK

Veli

Mint

GKAP

SHANK

Homer

Yotiao

KIF17

ABP

PICK-1

GRASP1

NARP

NSF

Glossary

COINCIDENCE DETECTION

The ability to sense the simultaneous occurrence of synaptic activity at different points of the same cell.

SH3 DOMAINS

Src-homology region 3 domains. Protein sequences of about 50 amino acids that recognize and bind sequences rich in proline.

RAS PROTEINS

A group of proteins involved in growth, differentiation and cellular signalling that require the binding of GTP to enter into their active state.

RHO PROTEINS

A Ras-related GTPase involved in controlling the polymerization of actin.

ANKYRIN

Cytoskeletal protein that attaches other cytoskeletal elements to integral membrane proteins.

PENTRAXIN

(or Pentaxin) Protein of discoid appearance under the electron microscope, consisting of five non-covalently bound subunits.

DYNAMIN

Protein involved in the formation of microtubule bundles and in membrane trafficking.

CLATHRIN

A major constituent of the coat associated with coated vesicles, particles involved in membrane trafficking.

RECTIFICATION

The property whereby current through a channel does not flow with the same ease from the inside as from the outside. In inward rectification, for instance, current into the cell flows more easily than out of the cell through the same population of channels.

CURRENT–VOLTAGE RELATIONSHIP

A plot of the changes of ionic current as a function of membrane voltage.

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Scannevin, R., Huganir, R. Postsynaptic organisation and regulation of excitatory synapses. Nat Rev Neurosci 1, 133–141 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/35039075

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