부산대학교 도서관

To purchase or authenticate to the full-text of this article, please visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-4159.2007.04662.x Byline: John P. Vessey, Daniela Karra Keywords: dendrite; dendritic arbor; dendritic development; post-synaptic density; PSD-95; scaffolding proteins Abstract: Abstract The dendritic arbor is responsible for receiving and consolidating neuronal input. Outgrowth and morphogenesis of the arbor are complex stages of development that are poorly understood. However, recent findings have identified synaptic scaffolding proteins as novel regulators of these important events. Scaffolding proteins are enriched in the post-synaptic density where they bind and bring into close proximity neurotransmitter receptors, signaling molecules, and regulators of the actin cytoskeleton. This property is important for dendritic spine morphogenesis and maintenance in the mature neuron. Scaffolding proteins are now being described as key regulators of neurite outgrowth, dendritic development, and pattern formation in immature neurons. These proteins, which include post-synaptic-95, Shank and Densin-180, as well as many of their interacting partners, appear to regulate both the microtubule and actin cytoskeleton to influence dendrite morphology. Through a large array of protein-protein interaction domains, scaffolding proteins are able to form large macromolecular complexes that include cytoskeletal motor proteins as well as microtubule and actin regulatory molecules. Together, the new findings form a persuasive argument that scaffolding proteins deliver critical regulatory elements to sites of dendritic outgrowth and branching to modulate the formation and maintenance of the dendritic arbor. Article History: Received February 8, 2007; revised manuscript received April 3, 2007; accepted April 5, 2007. Article note: Address correspondence and reprint requests to John P. Vessey, Department of Neural Cell Biology, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090, Vienna, Austria. E-mail: john.vessey@meduniwien.ac.at