Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 16, 2026
07:45
Author Spotlight: Optimizing Dendritic Spine Analysis for Balanced Manual and Automated Assessment in the Hippocampus CA1 Apical Dendrites
Published on: September 27, 2024
3.4K
Organization of TNIK in dendritic spines
Alain C Burette1, Kristen D Phend1, Susan Burette1
1Department of Cell Biology & Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599.
The Journal of Comparative Neurology
|March 11, 2015
Summary
Noncatalytic region of tyrosine kinase (NCK)-interacting kinase (TNIK) is found in neurons throughout the adult mouse brain. This protein concentrates in dendritic spines, a key area for glutamatergic signaling.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Disrupted in Schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) is a psychiatric risk factor.
- TNIK (noncatalytic region of tyrosine kinase (NCK)-interacting kinase) interacts with DISC1.
- Understanding TNIK's function in the brain is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression and localization of TNIK in the adult mouse brain.
- To elucidate the role of TNIK in neuronal structures and synaptic function.
Main Methods:
- High-resolution light and electron microscopic immunocytochemistry.
- Analysis of TNIK expression in various brain regions, including the striatum and cerebral cortex.
Main Results:
- TNIK is expressed in neurons across the adult mouse brain.
- TNIK is concentrated in dendritic spines, particularly near the synapse's lateral edge.
- TNIK is highly enriched in microdomains critical for glutamatergic signaling.
Conclusions:
- TNIK plays a significant role in the structural and functional organization of glutamatergic synapses.
- The localization of TNIK suggests its involvement in synaptic plasticity and neuronal communication.
- Further research into TNIK's function could provide insights into psychiatric disorders associated with DISC1.
Related Concept Videos
01:32Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures
2.9K
Complex microtubule structures are present in resting cells and in dividing cells. In resting cells, they are responsible for maintaining the cellular architecture, tracks for intracellular transport, positioning of organelles, assembly of cilia and flagella. They mediate the bipolar spindle assembly for chromosomal segregation and positioning of the cell division plate in dividing cells. The formation of microtubule complex structures depends on the cell type, cell stage, and cell function.
2.9K
01:00Enzyme-linked Receptors
89.5K
Enzyme-linked receptors are proteins that act as both receptor and enzyme, activating multiple intracellular signals. This is a large group of receptors that include the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) family. Many growth factors and hormones bind to and activate the RTKs.
Neurotrophin (NT) receptors are a family of RTKs, including trkA, trkB, and trkC (tropomyosin-related kinase) receptors. TrkA is specific for nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin-6, and neurotrophin-7. TrkB binds...
Neurotrophin (NT) receptors are a family of RTKs, including trkA, trkB, and trkC (tropomyosin-related kinase) receptors. TrkA is specific for nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin-6, and neurotrophin-7. TrkB binds...
89.5K
01:23Neurons: The Cell Body and the Dendrites
13.4K
A typical nerve cell comprises three main components: the cell body, dendrites, and the axon. The cell body, also known as the soma or perikaryon, serves as the central biosynthetic hub housing a nucleus surrounded by cytoplasm containing organelles commonly found in most cells. Notably, Nissl bodies, clusters of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and free ribosomes responsible for protein synthesis, are distinctive features of the neuronal cell body. As neurons age, aggregates of a brown pigment...
13.4K
01:45Tail-anchoring of Proteins in the ER Membrane
4.1K
Tail-anchored, or TA, proteins are estimated to make up to 3-5% of membrane proteins found in the eukaryotic cell. Such proteins have a single transmembrane domain located approximately 30 amino acid residues upstream from the C-terminal end. As a result, the signal recognition particle (SRP) cannot guide a TA protein to the ER membrane for cotranslational insertion. Hence, they are integrated into the ER membrane post-translationally using their C-terminal end as the anchor. TA proteins...
4.1K