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Related Concept Videos

Chemical Synapses01:26

Chemical Synapses

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Chemical synapses are specialized sites between two neurons or between a neuron and a non-neuronal cell like a muscle, glandular or sensory cell.
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...
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Chemical Synapses01:26

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Chemical synapses are specialized sites between two neurons or between a neuron and a non-neuronal cell like a muscle, glandular or sensory cell.
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Postsynaptic Potential (PSP)01:32

Postsynaptic Potential (PSP)

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Postsynaptic potential (PSP) refers to a change in the electrical potential of a neuron when neurotransmitters released by presynaptic neurons bind to postsynaptic receptors. This potential can either be excitatory, leading to depolarization and ultimately action potential generation, or inhibitory, leading to hyperpolarization and suppression of the postsynaptic neuron.
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The Synapse02:47

The Synapse

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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.
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Synaptic Signaling01:09

Synaptic Signaling

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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.
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Synaptic Signaling01:12

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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.
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Preparation of Synaptic Plasma Membrane and Postsynaptic Density Proteins Using a Discontinuous Sucrose Gradient
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Native postsynaptic density is a functional condensate formed via phase separation.

Shiwen Chen1, Qixu Cai2, Haitang Peng3

  • 1School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China; Division of Life Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.

Cell Reports
|December 17, 2025
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Native postsynaptic densities (PSDs) are gel-like functional condensates, not liquid droplets, organizing synaptic function. Purified PSDs from mouse brains reveal Ca2+-dependent plasticity and actin-driven structural changes, offering a new platform for synapse research.

Keywords:
CP: NeuroscienceCaMKIIbiological condensatenative PSDphase separationpostsynaptic densitysplit GFPsynapsesynaptic plasticity

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Phase separation is a key mechanism for organizing dynamic subsynaptic compartments.
  • Studying synaptic phase separation in living neurons is difficult due to small synapse size.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the organization and plasticity of native postsynaptic densities (PSDs) using purified mouse brain PSDs.
  • To explore the functional properties of native PSDs as phase-separated condensates.

Main Methods:

  • Purification of native postsynaptic densities (PSDs) from mouse brain.
  • Characterization of PSD morphology and molecular composition.
  • Assays for Ca2+-dependent protein phosphorylation (e.g., CaMKII activation) and actin polymerization.

Main Results:

  • Native PSDs exhibit a gel-like morphology, distinct from reconstituted PSDs' liquid-like droplets.
  • Purified PSDs maintain molecular plasticity, recruiting/excluding proteins and undergoing Ca2+-dependent structural changes.
  • Ca2+ activates CaMKII in PSDs, leading to sustained phosphorylation of PSD proteins like GluA1.
  • Actin polymerization causes PSD enlargement, mimicking synaptic potentiation.

Conclusions:

  • Native PSDs are functional, gel-like condensates formed via phase separation.
  • Purified PSDs provide a tractable system for studying synaptic plasticity and molecular regulation in vitro.