The internal architecture of dendritic spines revealed by super-resolution imaging: What did we learn so far?
The molecular architecture of dendritic spines defines the efficiency of signal transmission across excitatory synapses. It is therefore critical to understand the mechanisms that control the dynamic localization of the molecular constituents within spines. However, because of the small scale at which most processes within spines take place, conventional light microscopy techniques are not adequate to provide the necessary level of resolution. Recently, super-resolution imaging techniques have overcome the classical barrier imposed by the diffraction of light, and can now resolve the localization and dynamic behavior of proteins within small compartments with nanometer precision, revolutionizing the study of dendritic spine architecture. Here, we highlight exciting new findings from recent super-resolution studies on neuronal spines, and discuss how these studies revealed important new insights into how protein complexes are assembled and how their dynamic behavior shapes the efficiency of synaptic transmission.
Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: h.d.macgillavry@uu.nl.
Harold D
HD
MacGillavry
Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: c.hoogenraad@uu.nl.
Casper C
CC
Hoogenraad
D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000818:Animals; D049229:Dendritic Spines / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006801:Humans; D008853:Microscopy; D017470:Receptors, Glutamate / Q000378:metabolism; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009435:Synaptic Transmission
D017470:Receptors, Glutamate
Actin; Dendritic spine; Glutamate receptors; Postsynaptic density; Super-resolution; Synapse