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Regulation of the Actin Cytoskeleton in Dendritic Spines

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Book cover Synaptic Plasticity

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((volume 970))

Abstract

Spine morphogenesis is largely dependent on the remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton. Actin dynamics within spines is regulated by a complex network of signaling molecules, which relay signals from synaptic receptors, through small GTPases and their regulators, to actin-binding proteins. In this chapter, we will discuss molecules involved in dendritic spine plasticity beginning with actin and moving upstream toward neuromodulators and trophic factors that initiate signaling involved in these plasticity events. We will place special emphasis on small GTPase pathways, as they have an established importance in dendritic spine plasticity and pathology. Finally, we will discuss some epigenetic mechanisms that control spine morphogenesis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 E. Chicago Avenue, 60611, Chicago, IL, USA

    Peter Penzes & Igor Rafalovich

  2. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 E. Chicago Avenue, 60611, Chicago, IL, USA

    Peter Penzes

Authors
  1. Peter Penzes
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  2. Igor Rafalovich
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Correspondence to Peter Penzes .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , PG Neuroplasticity, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Brenneckestraße 6, Magdeburg, 39118, Germany

    Michael R. Kreutz

  2. , Institute of Neuroscience, CR6 CNR-IN Consiglio Nazionale delle Ric, Via Vanvitelli, 32, Milano, 20129, Italy

    Carlo Sala

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© 2012 Springer-Verlag/WIen

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Penzes, P., Rafalovich, I. (2012). Regulation of the Actin Cytoskeleton in Dendritic Spines. In: Kreutz, M., Sala, C. (eds) Synaptic Plasticity. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 970. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-0932-8_4

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