title: Learning, AMPA receptor mobility and synaptic plasticity depend on n-cofilin-mediated actin dynamics.
abstract: Neuronal plasticity is an important process for learning, memory and complex behaviour. Rapid remodelling of the actin cytoskeleton in the postsynaptic compartment is thought to have an important function for synaptic plasticity. However, the actin-binding proteins involved and the molecular mechanisms that in vivo link actin dynamics to postsynaptic physiology are not well understood. Here, we show that the actin filament depolymerizing protein n-cofilin is controlling dendritic spine morphology and postsynaptic parameters such as late long-term potentiation and long-term depression. Loss of n-cofilin-mediated synaptic actin dynamics in the forebrain specifically leads to impairment of all types of associative learning, whereas exploratory learning is not affected. We provide evidence for a novel function of n-cofilin function in synaptic plasticity and in the control of extrasynaptic excitatory AMPA receptors diffusion. These results suggest a critical function of actin dynamics in associative learning and postsynaptic receptor availability.
authors.affiliation: Mouse Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Monterotondo, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Rust
authors.forename: Christine B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Gurniak
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Renner
authors.forename: Hugo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vara
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Morando
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Görlich
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sassoè-Pognetto
authors.forename: Mumna Al
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Banchaabouchi
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Giustetto
authors.forename: Antoine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Triller
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Choquet
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Witke
mesh_terms: D051339:Actin Depolymerizing Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D051338:Cofilin 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism; D049229:Dendritic Spines / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D007858:Learning; D017774:Long-Term Potentiation / Q000502:physiology; D008568:Memory; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D008840:Microfilament Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D018091:Receptors, AMPA / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D051339:Actin Depolymerizing Factors; D000199:Actins; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D051338:Cofilin 1; D008840:Microfilament Proteins; D018091:Receptors, AMPA
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