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The Postsynaptic Spectrin/4.1 Membrane Protein "Accumulation Machine".

Baines, Anthony J., Keating, Lisa A., Phillips, Gareth W., Scott, C. (2001) The Postsynaptic Spectrin/4.1 Membrane Protein "Accumulation Machine". Cellular & Molecular Biology Letters, 6 (3). pp. 691-702. ISSN 1425-8153. (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:8637)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.

Abstract

An important aspect of the function of the membrane-associated cytoskeleton has been suggested to be to trap and retain selected transmembrane proteins at points on the cell surface specified by cell adhesion molecules. In the process, cell adhesion molecules are cross-linked to each other, and so junctional complexes are strengthened. In this short review, we will discuss recent advances in understanding the role of this "accumulation machine" in postsynaptic structures. Function in the brain depends on correct ordering of synaptic intercellular junctions, and in particular the recruitment of receptors and other apparatus of the signalling system to postsynaptic membranes. Spectrin has long been known to be a component of postsynaptic densities, and recent advances in molecular cloning indicate that beta spectrins at PSDs are all "long" C-terminal isoforms characterised by pleckstrin homology domains. Isoforms of protein 4.1 are also present at synapses. All four 4.1 proteins are represented in PSD preparations, but it is 4.1R that is most enriched in PSDs. 4.1R binds to several proteins enriched in PSDs, including the characteristic PSD intermediate filament, alpha-internexin. Both 4.1 and spectrin interact with ionotropic glutamate receptors (AMPA and NMDA receptors, respectively): 4.1 stabilises AMPA receptors on the cell surface. By linking these receptors to the cytoskeletal and cell adhesion molecules that specify glutamatergic synapses, the membrane protein accumulation machine is suggested to direct the formation of postsynaptic signalling complexes.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: Q Science
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > Biosciences
Depositing User: Anthony Baines
Date Deposited: 02 Nov 2008 19:41 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 09:46 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/8637 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Baines, Anthony J..

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