Neuron-specific regulation on F-actin cytoskeletons

Dendritic spines are neuron-specific actin-rich subcellular structures and are the location of excitatory synapses. Neurotransmitters released from presynaptic terminals activate the signals modifying the F-actin dynamics and stability and thus control dendritic spine morphology. Many ubiquitously expressed actin-associated proteins, including cortactin, have been shown to regulate dendritic spine morphology and density. Since dendritic spines are neuron-specific structures, neuron-specific proteins are expected to control F-actin cytoskeletons and dendritic spinogenesis. Recently, we demonstrated that cortactin-binding protein 2 (CTTNBP2), a neuron-specific protein, regulates the mobility and distribution of cortactin and controls the density of dendritic spines. This is the first example of a neuron-specific protein that controls the mobility of an F-actin associated protein and influences the dendritic spines. It provides a platform to explore the specific pathway triggering dendritic spinogenesis.