Quantifying postsynaptic receptor dynamics: insights into synaptic function

The molecular composition of presynaptic and postsynaptic neuronal terminals is dynamic, and yet long-term stabilizations in postsynaptic responses are necessary for synaptic development and long-term plasticity. The need to reconcile these concepts is further complicated by learning- and memory-related plastic changes in the molecular make-up of synapses. Advances in single-particle tracking mean that we can now quantify the number and diffusive properties of specific synaptic molecules, while statistical thermodynamics provides a framework to analyse these molecular fluctuations. In this Review, we discuss the use of these approaches to gain quantitative descriptions of the processes underlying the turnover, long-term stability and plasticity of postsynaptic receptors and show how these can help us to understand the balance between local molecular turnover and synaptic structural identity and integrity. The molecular organization of the synapse is both highly organized and dynamic. Triller and colleagues outline advances in single-particle tracking technologies that have enabled us to gain quantitative insights into the mechanisms that regulate postsynaptic receptor dynamics.

Automated summary

The molecular composition of presynaptic and postsynaptic neuronal terminals is dynamic, and long-term stabilizations in postsynaptic responses are necessary for synaptic development and long-term plasticity. Single-particle tracking and statistical thermodynamics provide methods and frameworks for quantitative descriptions of molecular fluctuations, turnover, stability, and plasticity in synapses. The molecular organization of the synapse is both highly organized and dynamic, and single-particle tracking technologies have improved our understanding of the mechanisms regulating postsynaptic receptor dynamics.