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Developmental changes in morphology and molecular composition of isolated synaptic junctional structures

P T Kelly, C W Cotman

    Brain Research
    |February 16, 1981
    PubMed
    Summary

    Researchers isolated synaptic junction fractions from immature rat brains, finding age-dependent changes in protein and glycoprotein composition. Key proteins like the major postsynaptic density protein increased significantly during postnatal development.

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    Area of Science:

    • Neuroscience
    • Developmental Biology
    • Cell Biology

    Background:

    • Synaptic junctions are crucial for neuronal communication.
    • Understanding their development is key to comprehending brain maturation.
    • Previous studies focused less on the molecular composition of immature synaptic junctions.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To characterize the protein and glycoprotein composition of synaptic junctional fractions during postnatal development.
    • To identify age-dependent changes in synaptic structures and their molecular makeup.
    • To compare immature and adult synaptic junctional fractions.

    Main Methods:

    • Isolation of synaptic junctional fractions from immature rat brains.
    • Electron microscopic analysis of synaptic structures.

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  • Protein and glycoprotein analysis of isolated fractions.
  • Quantification of specific proteins, including major postsynaptic density protein, tubulin, and actin.

    • Main Results:

    • Synaptic junctional fractions of high purity were isolated from immature rat brains.
    • Age-dependent changes in synaptic morphology, including the appearance of asymmetric synapses, were observed.
    • Total synaptic junctional protein recovery increased linearly with development.
    • Significant increases in the major postsynaptic density protein (approx. 20-fold) and differential levels of tubulin and actin were noted in immature fractions compared to adult.
    • Immature fractions showed higher amounts of postsynaptic membrane glycoproteins that bind concanavalin A (con A).

    Conclusions:

    • Synaptic junctional composition undergoes significant, systematic changes during postnatal development.
    • Immature synaptic junctions exhibit distinct molecular profiles compared to adult junctions.
    • These findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying synapse maturation and brain development.