Synaptic growth: dancing with adducin

Robin J Stevens; J Troy Littleton

doi:10.1016/j.cub.2011.04.020

Synaptic growth: dancing with adducin

Curr Biol. 2011 May 24;21(10):R402-5. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2011.04.020.

Authors

Robin J Stevens¹, J Troy Littleton

Affiliation

¹ The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. stevensr@mit.edu

PMID: 21601803
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2011.04.020

Abstract

Manipulations of the actin-capping protein adducin in Drosophila and mammalian neurons provide new insights into the mechanisms linking structural changes to synaptic plasticity and learning. Adducin regulates synaptic remodeling, providing a molecular switch that controls synaptic growth versus disassembly during plasticity.

MeSH terms

Actins / metabolism*
Animals
Brain / physiology*
Calmodulin-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
Drosophila
Mammals
Models, Neurological*
Neuronal Plasticity / physiology*
Synapses / metabolism
Synapses / physiology*

Substances

Actins
Calmodulin-Binding Proteins
adducin