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 Concept Videos

The Nucleus01:32

The Nucleus

102.4K
The nucleus is a membrane-bound organelle that acts as a control center in a eukaryotic cell. It contains chromosomal DNA, which controls gene expression and precisely regulates the production of proteins within the cell. In contrast, the DNA inside the mitochondria and chloroplast only carries out functions that are specific to those organelles.
Arrangement of DNA within Nucleus
The regulation of gene expression inside the nucleus is dependent on many factors, including the DNA structure. The...
102.4K
The Nucleus01:25

The Nucleus

7.6K
The nucleus is a membrane-bound organelle that acts as a control center in a eukaryotic cell. It contains chromosomal DNA, which controls gene expression and precisely regulates the production of proteins within the cell. In contrast, the DNA inside the mitochondria and chloroplast only carries out functions that are specific to those organelles.
Arrangement of DNA within Nucleus
The regulation of gene expression inside the nucleus is dependent on many factors, including the DNA structure. The...
7.6K
Synaptic Signaling01:12

Synaptic Signaling

79.5K
Neurons communicate at synapses, or junctions, to excite or inhibit the activity of other neurons or target cells, such as muscles. Synapses may be chemical or electrical.
79.5K
Synaptic Signaling01:09

Synaptic Signaling

6.7K
Neurons communicate at synapses, or junctions, to excite or inhibit the activity of other neurons or target cells, such as muscles. Synapses may be chemical or electrical.
Most synapses are chemical, meaning an electrical impulse or action potential spurs the release of chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. The neuron sending the signal is called the presynaptic neuron, and the neuron receiving the signal is the postsynaptic neuron.
The presynaptic neuron fires an action potential that...
6.7K
Integration of Synaptic Events01:28

Integration of Synaptic Events

3.9K
Synaptic integration mainly includes the summation of graded potentials. Graded potentials, regardless of their type, cause subtle alterations in membrane voltage, resulting in either depolarization or hyperpolarization. These incremental changes, when combined or summed, can propel the neuron toward its threshold. Consider, for example, a membrane experiencing a +15 mV shift, causing it to depolarize from -70 mV to -55 mV. In this scenario, graded potentials govern the membrane's ability to...
3.9K
The Synapse02:47

The Synapse

133.2K
Neurons communicate with one another by passing on their electrical signals to other neurons. A synapse is the location where two neurons meet to exchange signals. At the synapse, the neuron that sends the signal is called the presynaptic cell, while the neuron that receives the message is called the postsynaptic cell. Note that most neurons can be both presynaptic and postsynaptic, as they both transmit and receive information.
133.2K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Citrulline drives age-related lipid deposition for healthspan.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

Glucokinase Regulatory Protein Gene Polymorphism as a Predictive Biomarker for Early Renal Injury in Newly Diagnosed Early-Onset Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Diabetes/metabolism research and reviews·2026
Same author

Insight into pseudocapacitive and electrical double-layer capacitive behaviors in polyaniline-based supercapacitors.

Journal of colloid and interface science·2026
Same author

The Natural Compound Cornuside Protects Against Acute Liver Failure Induced by Lipopolysaccharide and D-Galactosamine.

Drug design, development and therapy·2026
Same author

Enhanced Performance of an Au/MoS<sub>2</sub>/GaAs Photodetector by Room-Temperature Metal Electrode Transfer.

Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)·2026
Same author

Relationship between the triglyceride-glucose index and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease among individuals with atrial fibrillation.

American journal of cardiovascular disease·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 3, 2026

Identification of Dopamine D1-Alpha Receptor Within Rodent Nucleus Accumbens by an Innovative RNA In Situ Detection Technology
07:25

Identification of Dopamine D1-Alpha Receptor Within Rodent Nucleus Accumbens by an Innovative RNA In Situ Detection Technology

Published on: March 27, 2018

9.0K

SAPAP4 Deletion Causes Synaptic Dysfunction in the nucleus accumbens.

Beijun Wu1, Chunxia Li2, Huimeng Lei1

  • 1Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Beijing Center of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Diseases of the Ministry of Education, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|October 17, 2018
PubMed
Summary

SAPAP4 deletion in mice reduced cocaine sensitivity and altered synaptic function in the nucleus accumbens. This highlights SAPAP4

Keywords:
CocaineNucleus accumbensSAPAP4Synaptic function

More Related Videos

Microtransplantation of Synaptic Membranes to Reactivate Human Synaptic Receptors for Functional Studies
10:08

Microtransplantation of Synaptic Membranes to Reactivate Human Synaptic Receptors for Functional Studies

Published on: July 20, 2022

2.5K
Rapid Deletion Production in Fungi via Agrobacterium Mediated Transformation of OSCAR Deletion Constructs
11:24

Rapid Deletion Production in Fungi via Agrobacterium Mediated Transformation of OSCAR Deletion Constructs

Published on: June 12, 2017

10.5K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 3, 2026

Identification of Dopamine D1-Alpha Receptor Within Rodent Nucleus Accumbens by an Innovative RNA In Situ Detection Technology
07:25

Identification of Dopamine D1-Alpha Receptor Within Rodent Nucleus Accumbens by an Innovative RNA In Situ Detection Technology

Published on: March 27, 2018

9.0K
Microtransplantation of Synaptic Membranes to Reactivate Human Synaptic Receptors for Functional Studies
10:08

Microtransplantation of Synaptic Membranes to Reactivate Human Synaptic Receptors for Functional Studies

Published on: July 20, 2022

2.5K
Rapid Deletion Production in Fungi via Agrobacterium Mediated Transformation of OSCAR Deletion Constructs
11:24

Rapid Deletion Production in Fungi via Agrobacterium Mediated Transformation of OSCAR Deletion Constructs

Published on: June 12, 2017

10.5K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • Scaffold proteins, such as SAP90/PSD95-associated proteins (SAPAPs), are crucial for postsynaptic density (PSD) function.
  • Mutations in scaffold proteins are linked to neuronal circuitry and behavioral dysfunctions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of SAPAP4 in synaptic function and cocaine-related behaviors.
  • To determine the impact of SAPAP4 genetic deletion on mouse behavior and neural activity.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized SAPAP4 knockout (SAPAP4-/-) mice for behavioral and electrophysiological analyses.
  • Administered cocaine to assess behavioral sensitivity.
  • Examined spine density of medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc).
  • Recorded miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) in the NAc.

Main Results:

  • SAPAP4-/- mice exhibited decreased sensitivity to cocaine.
  • Reduced spine density of MSNs in the NAc shell of SAPAP4-/- mice.
  • Altered synaptic transmission with decreased frequency and amplitude of mEPSCs in the NAc of SAPAP4-/- mice.

Conclusions:

  • SAPAP4 plays a critical role in regulating cocaine-related behaviors.
  • SAPAP4 is essential for normal synaptic function within the nucleus accumbens.
  • These findings suggest SAPAP4 as a potential target for understanding and treating substance use disorders.