Neuronal sorting nexins and Seizure-related gene 6 trafficking and their influence in the dendritic integration

Abstract

The brain-specific protein, Seizure‐related gene‐6 (Sez-6), plays an important role in the development of appropriate neuronal circuitry in the mammalian central nervous system. Especially, Sez-6 is an essential regulator of dendritic branching, dendritic spine formation and excitatory synapse numbers. In this manner Sez-6 -/- animals have been shown to possess morphologically different neurons and dendritic arborization. Indeed, Sez-6 -/- mice exhibit an excess of short dendrites, an excessive neurite branching and a reduced spine density relative to WT neurons. Similarly, a greater proportion of spines were observed on dendrites of control cortical neurons than on Sez-6 -/- neurons.