Endocytosis and synaptic removal of NR3A-containing NMDA receptors by PACSIN1/syndapin1.

ABSTRACT: A key step in glutamatergic synapse maturation is the replacement of developmentally expressed N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) with mature forms that differ in subunit composition, electrophysiological properties and propensity to elicit synaptic plasticity. However, the mechanisms underlying the removal and replacement of synaptic NMDARs are poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that NMDARs containing the developmentally regulated NR3A subunit undergo rapid endocytosis from the dendritic plasma membrane in cultured rat hippocampal neurons. This endocytic removal is regulated by PACSIN1/syndapin1, which directly and selectively binds the carboxy-terminal domain of NR3A through its NPF motifs and assembles a complex of proteins including dynamin and clathrin. Endocytosis of NR3A by

SUBMITTER: Perez-Otano I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1892311 | biostudies-literature | 2006 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature