Postsynaptic actin and neuronal plasticity.
In the adult brain, actin is concentrated in dendritic spines where it can produce rapid changes in their shape. Through various synaptic junction proteins, this postsynaptic actin is linked to neurotransmitter receptors, influencing their function and, in turn, being influenced by them. Thus, the actin cytoskeleton is emerging as a key mediator between signal transmission and anatomical plasticity at excitatory synapses.
Matus
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Friedrich Miecher Institute PO Box 2543, 4002, Basel, Switzerland. matus@fmi.ch
D000199:Actins / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000502:physiology; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D017470:Receptors, Glutamate / Q000502:physiology; D013569:Synapses / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology
D000199:Actins; D017470:Receptors, Glutamate