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PMID: 20667710 Published · ppublish English Journal Article Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Review

A network of networks: cytoskeletal control of compartmentalized function within dendritic spines.

Current opinion in neurobiology ·Vol. 20 ·No. 5 ·2010-10-00 ·Pages 578-87

Frost NA, Kerr JM, Lu HE, Blanpied TA

Abstract

Almost 30 years ago, actin was identified as the major cytoskeletal component of dendritic spines. Since then, its role in the remarkable dynamics of spine morphology have been detailed with live-cell views establishing that spine shape dynamics are an important requirement for synaptogenesis and synaptic plasticity. However, the actin cytoskeleton is critical to numerous and varied processes within the spine which contribute to the maintenance and plasticity of synaptic function. Here, we argue that the spatial and temporal distribution of actin-dependent processes within spines suggests that the spine cytoskeleton should not be considered a single entity, but an interacting network of nodes or hubs that are independently regulated and balanced to maintain synapse function. Disruptions of this balance within the spine are likely to lead to psychiatric and neurological dysfunction.

MeSH Terms
Actins/physiology Animals Cell Compartmentation/physiology Cytoskeleton/physiology Dendritic Spines/physiology Humans Nerve Net/anatomy & histology,physiology
Chemicals
Actins
Authors & Affiliations
4 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID
Frost Nicholas A
Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
Kerr Justin M
Lu Hsiangmin E
Blanpied Thomas A
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Article Info
Journal
Current opinion in neurobiology
Abbr.
Curr Opin Neurobiol
ISSN
1873-6882
DOI
10.1016/j.conb.2010.06.009
Published
2010-10-00
Pages
578-87
Language
English
Region
England
NLM ID
9111376
PMCID
PMC2972359
Subset
IM
Grants
NIMH NIH HHS · F31-MH086177 · United States
NIMH NIH HHS · F30-MH086185 · United States
NIMH NIH HHS · F31 MH086177 · United States
NIMH NIH HHS · R01-MH080046 · United States
NIMH NIH HHS · F30 MH086185 · United States
NIMH NIH HHS · R37 MH080046 · United States
NIMH NIH HHS · R01 MH080046 · United States
External Links
PubMed source DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2010.06.009 PMC Full Text View journal details
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