Gephyrin filaments represent the molecular basis of inhibitory postsynaptic densities.

ABSTRACT: The multifunctional protein gephyrin clusters inhibitory receptors at the postsynaptic membrane in the CNS. Gephyrin has been proposed to form the inhibitory postsynaptic density by liquid-liquid phase separation, involving a complex interplay between receptor binding and oligomerization via its conserved G- and E-domains. Here we show by single particle cryo-EM analysis that dimerization promotes the formation of gephyrin filaments in which two E-domain dimers are linked by Z-shaped interfaces formed between two subdomains II (SDII) of adjacent dimers. Deletion of SDII, introduction of two epilepsy-causing pathogenic variants, or neutralization of an opposing charge in the interface abolish the formation of filaments, in vitro phase separation, and synaptic receptor clustering in hippocam

SUBMITTER: Macha A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12441120 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature