PubMed · 16484498
A calcium-regulated MEF2 sumoylation switch controls postsynaptic differentiation.
Abstract
Postsynaptic differentiation of dendrites is an essential step in synapse formation. We report here a requirement for the transcription factor myocyte enhancer factor 2A (MEF2A) in the morphogenesis of postsynaptic granule neuron dendritic claws in the cerebellar cortex. A transcriptional repressor form of MEF2A that is sumoylated at lysine-403 promoted dendritic claw differentiation. Activity-dependent calcium signaling induced a calcineurin-mediated dephosphorylation of MEF2A at serine-408 and, thereby, promoted a switch from sumoylation to acetylation at lysine-403, which led to inhibition of dendritic claw differentiation. Our findings define a mechanism underlying postsynaptic differentiation that may modulate activity-dependent synapse development and plasticity in the brain.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Explore connections, maps & timelines
Aryaman Shalizi, Brice Gaudillière, Zengqiang Yuan, Judith Stegmüller, Takahiro Shirogane, Qingyuan Ge, Yi Tan, Brenda Schulman, J Wade Harper, Azad Bonni. 2006-02-17. A calcium-regulated MEF2 sumoylation switch controls postsynaptic differentiation.. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1122513
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.