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.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / metabolism
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Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / pharmacology
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Cells, Cultured
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Dendritic Spines / metabolism
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Dendritic Spines / ultrastructure*
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Down-Regulation / drug effects
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Down-Regulation / physiology
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Hippocampus / embryology*
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Hippocampus / metabolism
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Hippocampus / ultrastructure*
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Microtubule-Associated Proteins / genetics
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Microtubule-Associated Proteins / metabolism
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Microtubules / metabolism
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Microtubules / ultrastructure*
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Neurogenesis / physiology*
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Neuronal Plasticity / drug effects
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Neuronal Plasticity / physiology
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Nocodazole / pharmacology
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Paclitaxel / pharmacology
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RNA Interference
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Rats
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Synapses / metabolism
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Synapses / ultrastructure
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Tubulin Modulators / pharmacology
Substances
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Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
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EB3 protein, mouse
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Microtubule-Associated Proteins
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Tubulin Modulators
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Paclitaxel
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Nocodazole