Actin cytoskeleton in dendritic spine development and plasticity

• Authors: Wenliang Lei, Emory University; Omotola F. Omotade, Emory University; Kenneth R. Myers, Emory University; James Zheng, Emory University
• Journal Title: Current Opinion in Neurobiology
• Volume: Volume 39
• Publisher: Elsevier | 2016-04-30, Pages 86-92
• Type of Work: Article | Post-print: After Peer Review
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.conb.2016.04.010
• Subjects: Biology, Cell
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Neurosciences; Neurosciences & Neurology; AMPA RECEPTOR TRAFFICKING; LONG-TERM POTENTIATION; SYNAPTIC PLASTICITY; NUCLEATION FACTOR; CAPPING PROTEIN; ARP2/3 COMPLEX; BETA-ADDUCIN; MOLECULAR-MECHANISMS; DYNAMICS; MORPHOGENESIS

Abstract

Synapses are the basic unit of neuronal communication and their disruption is associated with many neurological disorders. Significant progress has been made towards understanding the molecular and genetic regulation of synapse formation, modulation, and dysfunction, but the underlying cellular mechanisms remain incomplete. The actin cytoskeleton not only provides the structural foundation for synapses, but also regulates a diverse array of cellular activities underlying synaptic function. Here we will discuss the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton in dendritic spines, the postsynaptic compartment of excitatory synapses. We will focus on a select number of actin regulatory processes, highlighting recent advances, the complexity of crosstalk between different pathways, and the challenges of understanding their precise impact on the structure and function of synapses.