N-wasp and the arp2/3 complex are critical regulators of actin in the development of dendritic spines and synapses.

ABSTRACT: Changes in the number, size, and shape of dendritic spines are associated with synaptic plasticity, which underlies cognitive functions such as learning and memory. This plasticity is attributed to reorganization of actin, but the molecular signals that regulate this process are poorly understood. In this study, we show neural Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (N-WASP) regulates the formation of dendritic spines and synapses in hippocampal neurons. N-WASP localized to spines and active, functional synapses as shown by loading with FM4-64 dye. Knock down of endogenous N-WASP expression by RNA interference or inhibition of its activity by treatment with a specific inhibitor, wiskostatin, caused a significant decrease in the number of spines and excitatory synapses. Deletion of the C-terminal

SUBMITTER: Wegner AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2414292 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature