Receptor protein in tyrosine phosphates in synapse formation and maintenance

哺乳动物大脑皮层中神经细胞之间的联系是高度动态的。突触连通性可以通过增加和消除现有突触来调节。此外，稳定的突触传递神经活动的能力可能随着时间的推移而变化，这可能是由于突触前神经元释放神经递质的改变，也可能是由于突触后神经元对神经递质的敏感性变化。我们目前研究受体蛋白酪氨酸磷酸酶，这些神经元细胞表面的膜蛋白，在突触形成和维持的调节中的作用。这些调节蛋白可能参与神经递质释放位点的组装。此外，它们可能能够启动这些部位的结构改变，从而导致神经递质释放的变化。因此，受体蛋白酪氨酸磷酸酶可能对突触可塑性的调节至关重要，突触可塑性是神经系统对环境、学习和记忆的经验依赖适应的细胞基础。

The connections between nerve cells in the mammalian cerebral cortex are highly dynamic. Synaptic connectivity can be modulated through addition of new and elimination of existing synapses. Moreover, the ability of stable synapses to transmit neural activity can vary over time, either due to alterations in the release of neurotransmitter from the presynaptic neuron, or due to changes in the sensitivity of the postsynaptic neuron to the neurotransmitter. We currently study the role of receptor protein tyrosine phosphatases, membrane proteins at the cell surface of these neurons, in the regulation of synapse formation and maintenance. These regulatory proteins may participate in the assembly of neurotransmitter release sites. Furthermore, they may be capable of initiating structural alterations at these sites that lead to changes in neurotransmitter release. Receptor protein tyrosine phosphatases may thus be of crucial importance for the regulation of synaptic plasticity, the cellular basis for the experience-dependent adaptation of the nervous system to its environment, learning, and memory.