Homeostatic Regulation of Neuronal Activity
June 20, 2012
Homeostasis of neuronal activity is an important mechanism to prevent extremes in excitation or inhibition. Such mechanisms operate by negative feedback control to adjust neuronal activity to the desired optimum level.
We have been studying the role of Polo-like kinase 2 (Plk2) in homeostatic plasticity. Plk2 is an activity-inducible, multifunctional protein kinase that targets synaptic substrates to cause loss of dendritic spines and weakening of excitatory synaptic transmission. We have identified several phosphorylation substrates of Plk2, which include regulators of Ras and Rap small GTPases. Plk2 also operates via a novel kinase-independent mechanism to dislodge AMPA receptors from the stabilizing protein NSF.