Shank protein: Difference between revisions

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Shank proteins are positioned between scaffolding proteins that are bound to either neurotransmitter receptors or the actin cytoskeleton. This puts Shank proteins in a perfect position to nucleate the underlying structure of the PSD.<ref name="Baron"/> The SAM domain of <scene name='Shank_Family_Proteins/Multimer_opening/1'>Shank-3 can oligomerize</scene> (<scene name='Shank_Family_Proteins/Multimer_opening_alt/2'>Alternate View</scene>) to form large sheets composed of helical fibers stacked side by side. The proposed sheet structure with radially projecting protein interaction domains, is ideal architecture for a protein that must contact both membrane and cytoplasmic components at a synaptic surface.<ref name="Baron"/>  Models of this sort validate the importance of Shank-3 as master scaffolding proteins and illustrate how slight mutations can disrupt an entire PSD and synaptic function.