Shank family proteins (Shank1, Shank2, and Shank3) are synaptic scaffolding proteins that organize an extensive protein complex at the postsynaptic density (PSD) of excitatory glutamatergic synapses. Recent human genetic studies indicate that SHANK family genes (SHANK1, SHANK2, and SHANK3) are causative genes for idiopathic autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Neurobiological studies of Shank mutat...

Photoreceptor terminals contain post-synaptic density (PSD) proteins e.g., PSD-95/PSD-93, but their role at photoreceptor synapses is not known. PSDs are generally restricted to post-synaptic boutons in central neurons and form scaffolding with multiple proteins that have structural and functional roles in neuronal signaling. The Shank family of proteins (Shank 1-3) functions as putative anchor...

The Shank/ProSAP family of multidomain proteins is known to play an important role in organizing synaptic multiprotein complexes. Here we report a novel interaction between Shank and beta PIX, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for the Rac1 and Cdc42 small GTPases. This interaction is mediated by the PDZ domain of Shank and the C-terminal leucine zipper domain and the PDZ domain-binding motif...

The Shank family of proteins interacts with NMDA receptor and metabotropic glutamate receptor complexes in the postsynaptic density (PSD). Targeted to the PSD by a PDZ-dependent mechanism, Shank promotes the maturation of dendritic spines and the enlargement of spine heads via its ability to recruit Homer to postsynaptic sites. Shank and Homer cooperate to induce accumulation of IP3 receptors i...

Let R be the regulator and let D be the absolute value of the discriminant of an order 0 of an algebraic number field of unit rank 1. It is shown how the infrastructure idea of Shanks can be used to decrease the number of binary operations needed to compute R from the best known 0(RD£) for most continued fraction methods to 0(Rll2De). These ideas can also be applied to significantly decrease th...

Shank is a post-synaptic scaffolding protein that has many binding partners. Shank mutations and copy number variations (CNVs) are linked to several psychiatric disorders, and to synaptic and behavioral defects in mice. It is not known which Shank binding partners are responsible for these defects. Here we show that the C. elegans SHN-1/Shank binds L-type calcium channels and that increased and...

Shank is a recently described family of postsynaptic proteins that function as part of the NMDA receptor-associated PSD-95 complex (Naisbitt et al., 1999 [this issue of Neuron]). Here, we report that Shank proteins also bind to Homer. Homer proteins form multivalent complexes that bind proline-rich motifs in group 1 metabotropic glutamate receptors and inositol trisphosphate receptors, thereby ...

The penguin is the fastest underwater swimmer among wing-propelled diving birds. To figure out mechanism for its excellent swimming, hydrodynamic performance of a wing numerically investigated using an immersed boundary method with incompressible flow solver. This study examines effects feathering, flapping, and Strouhal number (St) under preset motion. Results indicate that feathering primary ...

Flapping flippers or fins are widely employed in biomimetic and bioinspired aquatic robots that imitate natural swimmers, such as fish dolphins. This article involves robotic biomimetics of the penguin, which is often overlooked an excellent swimmer benefiting from agile wings. To achieve equivalent swimming skills robot, wing motion a real penguin was investigated. Based on findings, we develo...