RGD Reference Report - Synaptic clustering of AMPA receptors by the extracellular immediate-early gene product Narp. - Rat Genome Database

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Synaptic clustering of AMPA receptors by the extracellular immediate-early gene product Narp.

Authors: O'Brien, R J  Xu, D  Petralia, R S  Steward, O  Huganir, R L  Worley, P 
Citation: O'Brien RJ, etal., Neuron. 1999 Jun;23(2):309-23.
RGD ID: 13702159
Pubmed: PMID:10399937   (View Abstract at PubMed)

Narp (neuronal activity-regulated pentraxin) is a secreted immediate-early gene (IEG) regulated by synaptic activity in brain. In this study, we demonstrate that Narp possesses several properties that make it likely to play a key role in excitatory synaptogenesis. Narp is shown to be selectively enriched at excitatory synapses on neurons from both the hippocampus and spinal cord. Overexpression of recombinant Narp increases the number of excitatory but not inhibitory synapses in cultured spinal neurons. In transfected HEK 293T cells, Narp interacts with itself, forming large surface clusters that coaggregate AMPA receptor subunits. Moreover, Narp-expressing HEK 293T cells can induce the aggregation of neuronal AMPA receptors. These studies support a model in which Narp functions as an extracellular aggregating factor for AMPA receptors.

Gene Ontology Annotations    Click to see Annotation Detail View

Biological Process

Cellular Component

Objects Annotated

Genes (Rattus norvegicus)
Nptx2  (neuronal pentraxin 2)


Additional Information