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Morphology and molecular composition of isolated postsynaptic junctional structures.

A I Matus, D H Taff-Jones

    Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences
    |December 4, 1978
    PubMed
    Summary

    Researchers isolated postsynaptic junctional particles using detergents, revealing two distinct structures. These structures, differing in protein content and ultrastructure, offer insights into the postsynaptic density and junctional lattice.

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    Area of Science:

    • Neuroscience
    • Cell Biology
    • Biochemistry

    Background:

    • Synaptosomal plasma membranes are crucial for neuronal communication.
    • The postsynaptic density (PSD) is a key structure at synapses.
    • Understanding PSD composition and structure is vital for neuroscience.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To isolate and characterize postsynaptic junctional particles.
    • To compare the ultrastructural appearances and protein content of particles isolated by different detergents.
    • To elucidate the structural organization of the postsynaptic density and junctional lattice.

    Main Methods:

    • Solubilization of isolated brain synaptosomal plasma membranes using various detergents.
    • Isolation of postsynaptic junctional particles under conditions of maximal protein and phospholipid extraction.

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  • Ultrastructural analysis using negative staining.
  • Electrophoretic analysis of isolated protein components.

    • Main Results:

    • Two distinct structural forms of postsynaptic junctional particles were identified.
    • One form, isolated with Triton X-100, presented as a planar array of 20 nm particles resembling the PSD.
    • The other form, isolated with sodium deoxycholate, revealed a postsynaptic junctional lattice composed of 5 nm fibers forming polygonal arrays.
    • Electrophoresis identified common protein components of 275,000 and 47,500 Da, with the latter tentatively identified as actin. Alpha- and beta-tubulin components were also observed.

    Conclusions:

    • The postsynaptic density and junctional lattice represent distinct structural entities within the postsynaptic apparatus.
    • The junctional lattice may be composed of hydrophobic proteins within polygonal structures.
    • Protein components, including actin and tubulin, are integral to the postsynaptic structure and its relation to microtubules.