Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

C-terminal synaptic targeting elements for postsynaptic density proteins ProSAP1/Shank2 and ProSAP2/Shank3.

Tobias M Boeckers1, Thomas Liedtke, Christina Spilker

  • 1Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Ulm, Albert Einstein Allee 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany. boeckers@medizin.uni-ulm.de

Journal of Neurochemistry
|January 22, 2005
PubMed
Summary

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Gene deletion of Klotho in the dentate gyrus does not affect the number of adult-born granule cells.

Scientific reports·2026
Same author

Risk sensitivity in female beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas).

Journal of comparative psychology (Washington, D.C. : 1983)·2026
Same author

A correlative workflow for synaptic imaging by cryo-electron tomography.

Structure (London, England : 1993)·2026
Same author

Maintaining and regaining episodic memory in Alzheimer disease: a circuit-based perspective.

Nature reviews. Neurology·2026
Same author

Dissociating role of Bassoon in glutamatergic and dopaminergic neurons in alcohol-related behaviour and affective state in mice.

British journal of pharmacology·2026
Same author

High-Fat Diet and a High Amyloid Load Interact to Induce PKC-α Dependent Synaptic Insulin Resistance.

Molecular & cellular proteomics : MCP·2026

Researchers identified a novel C-terminal targeting signal in ProSAP/Shank proteins crucial for synaptic assembly. This finding sheds light on distinct molecular pathways governing neuronal communication and synapse formation.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Synapses are critical for neuronal communication, and their formation (synaptogenesis) involves complex protein assembly.
  • The ProSAP/Shank protein family acts as master scaffolding molecules at the postsynaptic density, but their targeting mechanisms are poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the synaptic targeting mechanisms of ProSAP/Shank proteins, specifically ProSAP1/Shank2 and ProSAP2/Shank3.
  • To identify the specific protein domains responsible for the postsynaptic localization of these scaffolding molecules.

Main Methods:

  • Expression of green-fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged deletion constructs of ProSAP1/Shank2 and ProSAP2/Shank3 in hippocampal neurons.
  • Microscopic analysis to determine the subcellular localization of these constructs.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

  • Postsynaptic localization of ProSAP1/Shank2 and ProSAP2/Shank3 deletion constructs depends on the integrity of their C-termini.
  • The minimal functional targeting region includes the C-terminal sterile alpha motif (SAM) domain.
  • N-terminal deletions of this minimal construct abolish synaptic targeting, leading to diffuse cytoplasmic distribution.

Conclusions:

  • A novel C-terminal targeting signal for ProSAP1/Shank2 and ProSAP2/Shank3 has been identified.
  • These findings suggest distinct molecular pathways involving Shank1, Shank2, and Shank3 in synaptic organization.
  • This research provides crucial insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying synapse development and function.