title: The postsynaptic density.
abstract: The postsynaptic density is a specialization of the nerve cell's submembrane cytoskeleton that is hypothesized to participate in the regulation of synaptic adhesion, transmitter receptor clustering, and modulation of receptor sensitivity. Until recently, many of the major proteins in the highly insoluble postsynaptic density fraction remained uncharacterized. Modern immunological and microsequencing methods now make it possible to define more precisely the molecular composition and function of this intriguing organelle.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena 91125.
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Kennedy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D015388:Organelles / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D017470:Receptors, Glutamate / Q000378:metabolism; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D017470:Receptors, Glutamate