Polarization of actin cytoskeleton is reduced in dendritic protrusions during early spine development in hippocampal neuron.

ABSTRACT: Dendritic spines are small protrusions that receive synaptic signals in neuronal networks. The actin cytoskeleton plays a key role in regulating spine morphogenesis, as well as in the function of synapses. Here we report the first quantitative measurement of F-actin retrograde flow rate in dendritic filopodia, the precursor of dendritic spines, and in newly formed spines, using a technique based on photoactivation localization microscopy. We found a fast F-actin retrograde flow in the dendritic filopodia but not in the spine necks. The quantification of F-actin flow rates, combined with fluorescence recovery after photobleaching measurements, allowed for a full quantification of spatially resolved kinetic rates of actin turnover, which was not previously feasible. Furthermore we provide ev

SUBMITTER: Tatavarty V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3418311 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature