Postsynaptic density condensate and modulation of synaptic glutamate receptors

Phase separation and formation of biological condensates with percolated molecular networks of multi-valent interactions are crucial for diverse cellular functions. However, it is not clear how condensates are connected to its biological functions.

The researchers combined in vitro reconstitutions with experiments in living neurons to show that postsynaptic density (PSD) scaffold proteins interact with each other to form percolated molecular networks and drive formation of the PSD condensate.

Regulatory factors target different interaction nodes in the condensate network to modulate synaptic functions.

The authors show that the clustering, mobility, and synaptic functions of AMPA receptors are exquisitely sensitive to alterations in the strength and complexity of the PSD condensate molecular network without changing the binding of the receptor to its direct downstream scaffold. 

https://www.cell.com/molecular-cell/fulltext/S1097-2765(25)00618-5

https://sciencemission.com/Modulating-synaptic-glutamate-receptors