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A calcium-regulated MEF2 surnoylation switch controls postsynaptic differentiation SCIENCE Shalizi, A., Gaudilliere, B., Yuan, Z. Q., Stegmuller, J., Shirogane, T., Ge, Q. Y., Tan, Y., Schulman, B., Harper, J. W., Bonni, A. 2006; 311 (5763): 1012-1017

Abstract

Postsynaptic differentiation of dendrites is an essential step in synapse formation. We report here a requirement for the transcription factor myocyte enhancer factor 2A (MEF2A) in the morphogenesis of postsynaptic granule neuron dendritic claws in the cerebellar cortex. A transcriptional repressor form of MEF2A that is sumoylated at lysine-403 promoted dendritic claw differentiation. Activity-dependent calcium signaling induced a calcineurin-mediated dephosphorylation of MEF2A at serine-408 and, thereby, promoted a switch from sumoylation to acetylation at lysine-403, which led to inhibition of dendritic claw differentiation. Our findings define a mechanism underlying postsynaptic differentiation that may modulate activity-dependent synapse development and plasticity in the brain.

View details for DOI 10.1126/science.1122513

View details for Web of Science ID 000235456900049