title: An architectural framework that may lie at the core of the postsynaptic density.
abstract: The postsynaptic density (PSD) is a complex assembly of proteins associated with the postsynaptic membrane that organizes neurotransmitter receptors, signaling pathways, and regulatory elements within a cytoskeletal matrix. Here we show that the sterile alpha motif domain of rat Shank3/ProSAP2, a master scaffolding protein located deep within the PSD, can form large sheets composed of helical fibers stacked side by side. Zn2+, which is found in high concentrations in the PSD, binds tightly to Shank3 and may regulate assembly. Sheets of the Shank protein could form a platform for the construction of the PSD complex.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, 611 Charles E. Young Drive East, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1570, USA.
authors.forename: Marisa K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Baron
authors.forename: Tobias M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Boeckers
authors.forename: Bianca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vaida
authors.forename: Salem
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Faham
authors.forename: Mari
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gingery
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Sawaya
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Salyer
authors.forename: Eckart D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Gundelfinger
authors.forename: James U
authors.initials: JU
authors.lastname: Bowie
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D003460:Crystallization; D018360:Crystallography, X-Ray; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000737:chemistry; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008958:Models, Molecular; D009154:Mutation; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D009474:Neurons / Q000737:chemistry; D011487:Protein Conformation; D017510:Protein Folding; D020836:Protein Structure, Quaternary; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D012995:Solubility; D013569:Synapses / Q000737:chemistry*; D015032:Zinc / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D021122:Protein Subunits; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; C120532:Shank3 protein, rat; D015032:Zinc