Rapid Redistribution of Synaptic PSD-95 in the Neocortex
Author Information
Author(s): Gray Noah W, Weimer Robby M, Bureau Ingrid, Svoboda Karel
Primary Institution: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Hypothesis
How can synapses maintain their size and strength over months with unstable constituents?
Conclusion
The study shows that individual PSDs compete for PSD-95 and that the kinetic interactions between PSD molecules and PSDs are tuned to regulate PSD size.
Supporting Evidence
- PSD-95 was retained by individual PSDs for 1 hour or less, much shorter than the lifetime of persistent spines.
- Retention times increased with developmental age, indicating a developmental regulation of PSD-95 dynamics.
- Whisker clipping reduced the retention times of synaptic PSD-95, demonstrating activity-dependent modulation.
Takeaway
The study found that a protein called PSD-95 moves quickly between tiny structures in the brain called spines, helping them stay strong and big.
Methodology
The authors used two-photon microscopy and photoactivation of a fluorescently tagged synaptic protein (PSD-95) to measure its dynamics in dendritic spines.
Limitations
The study primarily focuses on a specific developmental stage and may not generalize to all ages or conditions.
Participant Demographics
Mice aged postnatal day 10 to 21 and older than 60 days were used in the study.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.002
Statistical Significance
p<0.0002
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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