title: Scaffold proteins at the postsynaptic density.
abstract: Scaffold proteins are abundant and essential components of the postsynaptic density (PSD). They play a major role in many synaptic functions including the trafficking, anchoring, and clustering of glutamate receptors and adhesion molecules. Moreover, they link postsynaptic receptors with their downstream signaling proteins and regulate the dynamics of cytoskeletal structures. By definition, PSD scaffold proteins do not have intrinsic enzymatic activities but are formed by modular and specific domains deputed to form large protein networks. Here, we will discuss the latest findings regarding the structure and functions of major PSD scaffold proteins. Given that scaffold proteins are central components of PSD architecture, it is not surprising that deletion or mutations in their human genes cause severe neuropsychiatric disorders including autism, mental retardation, and schizophrenia. Thus, their dynamic organization and regulation are directly correlated with the essential structure of the PSD and the normal physiology of neuronal synapses.
authors.affiliation: CNR Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology, University of Milan and Neuromuscular Diseases and Neuroimmunology, Neurological Institute Foundation Carlo Besta, Via Vanvitelli 32, 20129 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Verpelli
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Schmeisser
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sala
authors.forename: Tobias M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Boeckers
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D057907:Post-Synaptic Density / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011485:Protein Binding; D017470:Receptors, Glutamate / Q000502:physiology; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D017470:Receptors, Glutamate; D018698:Glutamic Acid