Ras isoforms regulate synaptic plasticity

The roles of different Ras isoforms in neurons and their involvement in synaptic plasticity remain unclear. 

The researchers show that H-Ras is specifically required for mGluR-dependent long-term depression (mGluR-LTD).

H-Ras is locally activated in spines during mGluR-LTD via c-Src, promoting Erk activation and de novo protein synthesis. Genetic deletion of H-Ras impairs spatial memory, object recognition, and social behavior.

They also demonstrate that K-Ras is essential for long-term potentiation (LTP).

In addition, the authors also show that H-Ras and K-Ras exhibit different distributions across synaptic and non-synaptic membranes that could correlate with their functional specialization.

https://www.embopress.org/doi/full/10.1038/s44318-025-00390-8

https://sciencemission.com/Ras-isoforms-regulate-synaptic-plasticity