title: Dendritic spine actin dynamics in neuronal maturation and synaptic plasticity.
abstract: The majority of the postsynaptic terminals of excitatory synapses in the central nervous system exist on small bulbous structures on dendrites known as dendritic spines. The actin cytoskeleton is a structural element underlying the proper development and morphology of dendritic spines. Synaptic activity patterns rapidly change actin dynamics, leading to morphological changes in dendritic spines. In this mini-review, we will discuss recent findings on neuronal maturation and synaptic plasticity-induced changes in the dendritic spine actin cytoskeleton. We propose that actin dynamics in dendritic spines decrease through actin filament crosslinking during neuronal maturation. In long-term potentiation, we evaluate the model of fast breakdown of actin filaments through severing and rebuilding through polymerization and later stabilization through crosslinking. We will discuss the role of Ca(2+) in long-term depression, and suggest that actin filaments are dissolved through actin filament severing. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
authors: Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.|Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, Helsinki, Finland.
authors: Iryna
authors: I
authors: Hlushchenko
authors: Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors: Mikko
authors: M
authors: Koskinen
authors: Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. pirta.hotulainen@helsinki.fi.|Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, Helsinki, Finland. pirta.hotulainen@helsinki.fi.
authors: Pirta
authors: P
authors: Hotulainen
mesh_terms: D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism*; D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D049229:Dendritic Spines / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D036881:Long-Term Synaptic Depression / Q000502:physiology*; D008959:Models, Neurological
chemical_list: D000199:Actins
keywords: actin cytoskeleton; dendritic spines; neuronal maturation; synaptic plasticity