title: Postsynaptic distribution of IRSp53 in spiny excitatory and inhibitory neurons.
abstract: The 53 kDa insulin receptor substrate protein (IRSp53) is highly enriched in the brain. Despite evidence that links mutations of IRSp53 with autism and other neuropsychiatric problems, the functional significance of this protein remains unclear. We used light and electron microscopic immunohistochemistry to demonstrate that IRSp53 is expressed throughout the adult rat brain. Labeling concentrated selectively in dendritic spines, where it was associated with the postsynaptic density (PSD). Surprisingly, its organization within the PSD of spiny excitatory neurons of neocortex and hippocampus differed from that within spiny inhibitory neurons of neostriatum and cerebellar cortex. The present data support previous suggestions that IRSp53 is involved in postsynaptic signaling, while hinting that its signaling role may differ in different types of neurons.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
authors.forename: Alain C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Burette
authors.forename: Haram
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Weinberg
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D049229:Dendritic Spines / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D057907:Post-Synaptic Density / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013569:Synapses / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; C503229:Baiap2 protein, rat; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
keywords: BAIAP2; GABAergic neurons; PSD; Rho GTPase; dendritic spine