Neurone specific regulation of dendritic spines in vivo by post synaptic density 95 protein (PSD-95)

Brain Res. 2006 May 23;1090(1):89-98. doi: 10.1016/j.brainres.2006.03.075. Epub 2006 May 4.

Abstract

Post synaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95) is a postsynaptic adaptor protein coupling the NMDA receptor to downstream signalling pathways underlying plasticity. Mice carrying a targeted gene mutation of PSD-95 show altered behavioural plasticity including spatial learning, neuropathic pain, orientation preference in visual cortical cells, and cocaine sensitisation. These behavioural effects are accompanied by changes in long-term potentiation of synaptic transmission. In vitro studies of PSD-95 signalling indicate that it may play a role in regulating dendritic spine structure. Here, we show that PSD-95 mutant mice have alterations in dendritic spine density in the striatum (a 15% decrease along the dendritic length) and in the hippocampus (a localised 40% increase) without changes in dendritic branch patterns or gross neuronal architecture. These changes in spine density were accompanied by altered expression of proteins known to interact with PSD-95, including NR2B and SAP102, suggesting that PSD-95 plays a role in regulating the expression and activation of proteins found within the NMDA receptor complex. Thus, PSD-95 is an important regulator of neuronal structure as well as plasticity in vivo.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics*
  • Corpus Striatum / abnormalities*
  • Corpus Striatum / cytology
  • Corpus Striatum / metabolism
  • Dendritic Spines / metabolism
  • Dendritic Spines / pathology*
  • Dendritic Spines / ultrastructure
  • Disks Large Homolog 4 Protein
  • Guanylate Kinases
  • Hippocampus / abnormalities*
  • Hippocampus / cytology
  • Hippocampus / metabolism
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics*
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Neuronal Plasticity / genetics
  • Neuropeptides / metabolism
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / metabolism*
  • Synaptic Membranes / genetics
  • Synaptic Membranes / metabolism
  • Synaptic Membranes / ultrastructure
  • Synaptic Transmission / genetics

Substances

  • Disks Large Homolog 4 Protein
  • Dlg4 protein, mouse
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • NR2B NMDA receptor
  • Neuropeptides
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • Dlgh3 protein, mouse
  • Guanylate Kinases