Role of AMPA receptor endocytosis in synaptic plasticity

Activity-mediated changes in the strength of synaptic communication are imp ortant for the establishment of proper neuronal connections during developm ent and for the experience-dependent modification of neural circuitry that is believed to underlie all forms of behavioural plasticity. Owing to the w ide-ranging significance of synaptic plasticity, considerable efforts have been made to identify the mechanisms by which synaptic changes are triggere d and expressed. New evidence indicates that one important expression mecha nism of several long-lasting forms of synaptic plasticity might involve the physical transport of AMPA-type glutamate receptors in and out of the syna ptic membrane. Here, we focus on the rapidly accumulating evidence that AMP A receptors undergo regulated endocytosis, which is important for long-term depression.