Abstract
Dendritic spines are small, bulbous protrusions along neuronal dendrites where most of the excitatory synapses are located. Dendritic spine density in normal human brain increases rapidly before and after birth achieving the highest density around 2–8 years. Density decreases during adolescence, reaching a stable level in adulthood. The changes in dendritic spines are considered structural correlates for synaptic plasticity as well as the basis of experience-dependent remodeling of neuronal circuits. Alterations in spine density correspond to aberrant brain function observed in various neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. Dendritic spine initiation affects spine density. In this review, we discuss the importance of spine initiation in brain development, learning, and potential complications resulting from altered spine initiation in neurological diseases. Current literature shows that two Bin Amphiphysin Rvs (BAR) domain-containing proteins, MIM/Mtss1 and SrGAP3, are involved in spine initiation. We review existing literature and open databases to discuss whether other BAR-domain proteins could also take part in spine initiation. Finally, we discuss the potential molecular mechanisms on how BAR-domain proteins could regulate spine initiation.
Highlights
Dendritic spines are tiny protrusions along neuronal dendrites
We review existing literature and open databases to discuss whether other Bin Amphiphysin Rvs (BAR)-domain proteins could take part in spine initiation
We reviewed the current knowledge about the importance and regulation of dendritic spine initiation and discussed the broader involvement of BAR-domain-containing proteins in spine initiation
Summary
Dendritic spines are tiny protrusions along neuronal dendrites. Dendritic spines form the site for excitatory synapses. Spines are dynamic structures and their shape, size, and density change with developmental age, location, and synaptic activity [1,2,3]. Studies on electron microscopy (EM) have classified dendritic spines into three types based on their morphological features: mushroom, thin, and stubby spines [4]. Mushroom spines are defined by a large head and short, thin neck, whereas thin spines have a small head and long, thin neck. Stubby spines do not have a well-defined head and neck due to their wide neck, with approximately the same diameter as the head. Several imaging studies have shown that dendritic spines arise from dendritic filopodia [5,6,7]
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