Synaptic localisation of SRF coactivators, MKL1 and MKL2, and their role in dendritic spine morphology.

ABSTRACT: The megakaryoblastic leukaemia (MKL) family are serum response factor (SRF) coactivators, which are highly expressed in the brain. Accordingly, MKL plays important roles in dendritic morphology, neuronal migration, and brain development. Further, nucleotide substitutions in the MKL1 and MKL2 genes are found in patients with schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder, respectively. Thus, studies on the precise synaptic localisation and function of MKL in neurons are warranted. In this study, we generated and tested new antibodies that specifically recognise endogenously expressed MKL1 and MKL2 proteins in neurons. Using these reagents, we biochemically and immunocytochemically show that MKL1 and MKL2 are localised at synapses. Furthermore, shRNA experiments revealed that postsynaptic deleti

SUBMITTER: Kaneda M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5768758 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature