Neuron
Volume 35, Issue 3, 1 August 2002, Pages 535-545
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Article
Polyribosomes Redistribute from Dendritic Shafts into Spines with Enlarged Synapses during LTP in Developing Rat Hippocampal Slices

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Abstract

The presence of polyribosomes in dendritic spines suggests a potential involvement of local protein synthesis in the modification of synapses. Dendritic spine and synapse ultrastructure were compared after low-frequency control or tetanic stimulation in hippocampal slices from postnatal day (P)15 rats. The percentage of spines containing polyribosomes increased from 12% ± 4% after control stimulation to 39% ± 4% after tetanic stimulation, with a commensurate loss of polyribosomes from dendritic shafts at 2 hr posttetanus. Postsynaptic densities on spines containing polyribosomes were larger after tetanic stimulation. Local protein synthesis might therefore serve to stabilize stimulation-induced growth of the postsynaptic density. Furthermore, coincident polyribosomes and synapse enlargement might indicate spines that are expressing long-term potentiation induced by tetanic stimulation.

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Present address: Finnegan, Henderson, L.L.P., 1300 I Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005.