title: Regulation of the Postsynaptic Compartment of Excitatory Synapses by the Actin Cytoskeleton in Health and Its Disruption in Disease.
abstract: Disruption of synaptic function at excitatory synapses is one of the earliest pathological changes seen in wide range of neurological diseases. The proper control of the segregation of neurotransmitter receptors at these synapses is directly correlated with the intact regulation of the postsynaptic cytoskeleton. In this review, we are discussing key factors that regulate the structure and dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton, the major cytoskeletal building block that supports the postsynaptic compartment. Special attention is given to the complex interplay of actin-associated proteins that are found in the synaptic specialization. We then discuss our current understanding of how disruption of these cytoskeletal elements may contribute to the pathological events observed in the nervous system under disease conditions with a particular focus on Alzheimer's disease pathology.
authors.affiliation: Neurodegeneration and Repair Unit, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; Translational Neuroscience Facility, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
authors.forename: Holly
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Stefen
authors.affiliation: Neurodegeneration and Repair Unit, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; Translational Neuroscience Facility, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
authors.forename: Chanchanok
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chaichim
authors.affiliation: Translational Neuroscience Facility, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
authors.forename: John
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-2478-8416
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Power
authors.affiliation: Neurodegeneration and Repair Unit, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-6877-7567
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fath
mesh_terms: D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism*; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology; D013569:Synapses / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000199:Actins