Greasing transmission: palmitoylation at the synapse

Neuron. 2004 Dec 16;44(6):901-2. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2004.12.010.

Abstract

Posttranslational modifications such as palmitoylation have the ability to modulate protein localization and function. The reversible addition of the fatty acid palmitate to proteins has been known to occur in neurons for a considerable amount of time and has been noticed to be of particular importance at synapses. In this issue of Neuron, Huang et al. and Fukata et al. describe their studies of palmitoyl transferases and how these enzymes specifically catalyze the modification of a number of synaptic proteins, including the postsynaptic scaffolding protein PSD-95.

Publication types

  • Comment
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Palmitates / metabolism*
  • Synapses / metabolism*
  • Synaptic Transmission / physiology*

Substances

  • Palmitates