Work

Microtubules in Dendritic Spine Development

Year: 2008

Type: article

Abstract: It is generally believed that only the actin cytoskeleton resides in dendritic spines and controls spine morphology and plasticity. Here, we report that microtubules (MTs) are present in spines and that shRNA knockdown of the MT plus-end-binding protein EB3 significantly reduces spine formation. Furthermore, stabilization and inhibition of MTs by low doses of taxol and nocodazole enhance and impair spine formation elicited by BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), respectively. Therefore, MTs play an important role in the control and regulation of dendritic spine development and plasticity.

Source: Journal of Neuroscience

DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2509-08.2008

Authors: Jiaping Gu, Bonnie L. Firestein, James Q. Zheng

Institutions: University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Emory University

Language: English

Topic: Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research

Subfield: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid