Role of neural specific carbohydrates in neural plasticity

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HNK-1 carbohydrate has important roles in higher brain functions such as learning and memory. However, it remains unclear how HNK-1 regulates these functions. In this study, using the GlcAT-P-deficient mice, we demonstrated that loss of HNK-1 carbohydrate resulted in increased filopodia-like immature spines both in early postnatal mice and in cultured hippocampal neurons. We also identified a novel HNK-1 carbohydrate carrier molecule as AMPA type glutamate receptor subunit GluR2.