# Actin Regulation of Dendritic Spine Development and Plasticity

> **NIH NIH R56** · EMORY UNIVERSITY · 2023 · $613,251

## Abstract

Project Summary
 Chemical synapses are composed of paired pre- and post-synaptic terminals. Most of the excitatory
synapses reside on dendritic spines, a type of dendritic protrusion that hosts neurotransmitter receptors and
other postsynaptic specializations. Synapses are plastic and undergo short- and long-term modifications
during developmental refinement of neuronal circuitry, as well as during learning and memory. Synaptic
modifications involve both pre- and post-synaptic changes. At the postsynaptic site, directed trafficking of
neurotransmitter receptors to and from the membrane surface is believed to be a key event underlying long-
term potentiation (LTP) and depression (LTD), respectively. In addition, dendritic spines undergo rapid
changes in their morphology during plasticity. The underlying cellular mechanisms that control and regulate
these rapid changes in postsynaptic receptors and spine structures remain to be fully elucidated. The
cytoskeleton controls many, if not all, aspects of the motility of cellular structures. How the cytoskeleton
regulates postsynaptic structure, function, and modifications during plasticity, however, remains poorly
understood. This proposed study aims to investigate novel actin mechanisms involving local G-actin regulation
and structure-function coupling that enable the development of postsynaptic structure and specialization
required for a functional synapse. Specifically, we will investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the
spine enrichment of G-actin and its dynamic regulation during spine development. Furthermore, the study will
a novel interaction between (+) end capping protein CP and Shank scaffolding protein in coupling the actin-
based structural changes and the development of the postsynaptic specialization. Given that many neural
disorders are associated with alterations in synaptic connections and plasticity, we hope to gain a better
understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying synaptic plasticity, which is of importance
to our understanding of brain development and functions under both physiological and pathological conditions.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10608784
- **Project number:** 1R56MH129019-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** EMORY UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** James Q Zheng
- **Activity code:** R56 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $613,251
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2023-01-01 → 2024-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10608784

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10608784, Actin Regulation of Dendritic Spine Development and Plasticity (1R56MH129019-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10608784. Licensed CC0.

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