SAPAP4 Deletion Causes Synaptic Dysfunction in the nucleus accumbens.

SAPAP4 Deletion Causes Synaptic Dysfunction in the nucleus accumbens.
Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2018 Oct 12;:
Authors: Wu B, Li C, Lei H
Abstract
SAP90/PSD95-associated proteins (SAPAPs) are one type of scaffold protein in the postsynaptic density (PSD). Scaffold proteins play an important role in synaptic function. Recently, many studies have shown that mutations associated with scaffold proteins cause dysfunction in neuronal circuitry and in behavior. SAPAP4, as a protein in the SAPAP family, may have an impact on synaptic functions and on behaviors. To test this hypothesis, mice with a genetic deletion of SAPAP4 were used in our study. SAPAP4-/- mice displayed decreased cocaine sensitivity behavior after an acute injection of 20 mg/kg cocaine. We also found that the spine density of medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell was reduced in SAPAP4-/- mice. Furthermore, SAPAP4-/- mice displayed altered synaptic transmission and a decreased frequency and amplitude of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) in the NAc. Our findings demonstrate that SAPAP4 plays a critical role in cocaine-related behavior and in the synaptic function of the NAc.
PMID: 30322620 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Biochemical and Biophysical Research communications - October 12, 2018 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Wu B, Li C, Lei H Tags: Biochem Biophys Res Commun Source Type: research