Receptors, gephyrin and gephyrin-associated proteins: novel insights into the assembly of inhibitory postsynaptic membrane specializations.
The synaptic localization of ion channel receptors is essential for efficient synaptic trans-mission and the precise regulation of diverse neuronal functions, such as signal integration and synaptic plasticity. Emerging evidence points to an important role of cytoskeleton-associated proteins that assemble receptors and components of the subsynaptic machinery at postsynaptic membrane specializations. This article reviews interactions of inhibitory postsynaptic neurotransmitter receptors with the receptor anchoring protein gephyrin and intracellular components involved in downstream signalling and/or control of signal transduction processes. The presently available data suggest a central synaptic organizer function for gephyrin in inhibitory postsynaptic membrane assembly and stabilization.
Kneussel
M
M
Department of Neurochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Deutschordenstrasse 46, D-60528 Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
Betz
H
H
D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D003067:Coenzymes; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000378:metabolism*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008667:Metalloproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D000090006:Molybdenum Cofactors; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D011485:Protein Binding; D011621:Pteridines / Q000378:metabolism; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism*; D018079:Receptors, GABA / Q000378:metabolism; D018009:Receptors, Glycine / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology*
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D003067:Coenzymes; D007473:Ion Channels; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D008667:Metalloproteins; D000090006:Molybdenum Cofactors; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D011621:Pteridines; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D018079:Receptors, GABA; D018009:Receptors, Glycine; C073441:gephyrin; C022261:molybdopterin