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Molecular Mechanisms of Astrocyte Involvement in Synaptogenesis and Brain Synaptic Plasticity

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Abstract

Astrocytes perform a wide range of important functions in the brain. As structural and functional components of synapses, astrocytes secrete various factors (proteins, lipids, small molecules, etc.) that bind to neuronal receptor and contribute to synaptogenesis and regulation of synaptic contacts. Astrocytic factors play a key role in the formation of neural networks undergoing short- and long-term synaptic morphological and functional rearrangements essential in the memory formation and behavior. The review summarizes the data on the molecular mechanisms mediating the involvement of astrocyte-secreted factors in synaptogenesis in the brain and provides up-to-date information on the role of astrocytes and astrocytic synaptogenic factors in the long-term plastic rearrangements of synaptic contacts.

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Abbreviations

γ-Pcdh:

γ-protocadherin

AMPAR:

postsynaptic AMPA receptor

BDNF:

brain-derived neurotrophic factor

Chrdl1:

chordin-like protein 1

GPC:

glypican

hevin:

high endothelial venule protein

LTD:

long-term depression

LTP:

long-term potentiation

PAP:

perisynaptic astrocytic process

PTX3:

pentraxin 3

RGC:

retinal ganglion cell

SHH:

Sonic hedgehog

SPARC:

secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine

SREBP:

sterol regulatory element-binding protein

TGF-β:

transforming growth factor β

TSP:

thrombospondin

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    Leonid G. Khaspekov & Lidia E. Frumkina

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L. G. Khaspekov conceived and wrote the manuscript, collected and analyzed the data; L. E. Frumkina wrote the manuscript, collected and analyzed the data, and prepared the figures.

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Khaspekov, L.G., Frumkina, L.E. Molecular Mechanisms of Astrocyte Involvement in Synaptogenesis and Brain Synaptic Plasticity. Biochemistry Moscow 88, 502–514 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0006297923040065

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