MAGUK proteins: New targets for pharmacological intervention in the glutamatergic synapse

In the postsynaptic density of excitatory glutamatergic synapses, membrane associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) proteins, such as Post-Synaptic Density 95 (PSD-95), organize ionotropic glutamate receptors and their associated signalling proteins regulating the strength of synaptic activity. Modifications of MAGUK proteins function in the glutamatergic synapse such as alterations of MAGUK proteins interaction with N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) receptors regulatory subunits are common events in several neurodegenerative disorders. Thus, a better knowledge and understanding of MAGUK structure and function as well as of the molecular events regulating MAGUK-mediated interactions in the glutamatergic synapse could lead to the identification of new targets for pharmaceutical intervention for neurodegenerative diseases. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.