Rac1 Induces the Clustering of AMPA Receptors during Spinogenesis

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1947-05.2005
• Publication Date: 2005-11-16T21:38:03Z
• Authors: Katie M. Wiens; Hang Lin; Dezhi Liao
• Keywords: Silent synapse

Glutamatergic synapses switch from nonspiny to become dendritic spines during early neuronal development. Here, we report that the lack of sufficient Rac1, a small RhoGTPase, contributes absence spinogenesis in immature neurons. The overexpression green fluorescence protein-tagged wild-type Rac1 initiated formation cultured dissociated hippocampal neurons younger than 11 d vitro , indicating is likely one missing pieces responsible for also induced clustering AMPA receptors (AMPARs) and increased amplitude miniature EPSCs (mEPSCs). expression constitutively active unusually large with amounts AMPAR clusters. Also, our live imaging experiments revealed contact an axon subsequent morphological changes led spinogenesis. Additionally, size preexisting mEPSCs mature (>21 ) within 24 h after transfection. Together, these results indicate activation enhances excitatory synaptic transmission by recruiting AMPARs spinogenesis, thus providing mechanistic link between presynaptic postsynaptic developmental changes. Furthermore, show has two distinct roles at different stages initiates stage regulates function morphology later stage.