The paper compares nanoscale organization of GABAergic synapses in somatic and dendritic compartments, finding structural and functional differences that affect inhibitory strength and signaling.

bioRxiv · Jun 28, 2026 · PreprintNeuroscience

miRNA-mediated control of gephyrin synthesis drives sustained inhibitory synaptic plasticity

Theresa M. Welle, Dipen Rajgor, Dean J. Kareemo, Joshua D Garcia, Sarah M Zych, Sarah E. Wolfe, Sara E. Gookin, Thyandra A. Martinez, Mark L. Dell’Acqua, Christopher Ford, Matthew J. Kennedy, Katharine R. Smith

This study identifies miR153 as a regulator of gephyrin translation during inhibitory long-term potentiation, showing its downregulation enables synaptic strengthening.

EMBO Reports · Sep 18, 2024Peer-reviewedNeuroscience

TRPM2-CaMKII signaling drives excessive GABAergic synaptic inhibition following ischemia

Amelia M. Burch, Joshua D Garcia, Heather O’Leary, Ami Haas, James E. Orfila, Erika Tiemeier, Nicholas Chalmers, Katharine R. Smith, Nidia Quillinan, Paco S. Herson

The paper shows that TRPM2-CaMKII signaling enhances GABAergic synaptic inhibition after ischemia, leading to E/I imbalance and potential therapeutic targets for cognitive recovery.

Journal of Neuroscience · Apr 2, 2024Peer-reviewedNeuroscience

Palmitoylation controls the stability of 190 kDa Ankyrin-G in dendritic spines and is regulated by ZDHHC8 and lithium.

Nicolas H. Piguel, Shaun S. Sanders, Francesca Isabella De Simone, María Dolores Martin‐de‐Saavedra, Emmarose McCoig, Leonardo E. Dionisio, Katharine R. Smith, Gareth M. Thomas, Peter Penzes

This study shows that palmitoylation of AnkG-190 stabilizes its localization in dendritic spines, and lithium reduces this modification, affecting its function and interaction with PSD-95.

Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience · Mar 8, 2023Peer-reviewedNeuroscience