title: Direct visualization of CaMKII at postsynaptic densities by electron microscopy tomography.
abstract: Ca(2+) /calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is a major component of postsynaptic densities (PSDs) involved in synaptic regulation. It has been previously shown that upon activity CaMKII from the spine reversibly aggregates at the cytoplasmic surfaces of PSDs, where it encounters various targets for phosphorylation. Targets for CaMKII are also present within the PSD, but there has been no reliable method to pinpoint whether, or where, CaMKII is located inside the PSD. Here we show that CaMKII can be mapped molecule-by-molecule within isolated PSDs using negative stain electron microscopy tomography. CaMKII molecules found in the core of the PSD may represent a pool distinct from the CaMKII residing at the cytoplasmic surface.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neurobiology, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA. feraandr@ninds.nih.gov
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fera
authors.forename: Ayse
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dosemeci
authors.forename: Alioscka A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Sousa
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Richard D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Leapman
authors.forename: Thomas S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Reese
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D054732:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2 / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D057907:Post-Synaptic Density / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D054732:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2