Background of the antigen
The ProSAP family of proteins contain many protein-protein interaction domains and serve as scaffolding mediators within the post-synaptic density (PSD) of excitatory brain synapses. The PSD is an electron-dense structure underneath the post-synaptic plasma membrane of excitatory synapses that anchors and clusters glutamate receptors opposite to the pre-synaptic neurotransmitter release site. Shank proteins contain PDZ modular domains that coordinate the synaptic localization of ion channels, receptors, signaling enzymes, and cell adhesion molecules. The PDZ domain mediates protein-protein interactions via the recognition of a conserved sequence motif at the C-terminus of their target protein(s). ProSAPiP1 (proline rich synapse associated protein interacting protein 1) is a 673 amino acid protein that interacts with the PDZ domain of Shank 3. ProSAPiP1 expression is brain-specific with highest expression within the cerebellum, hippocampus and cerebral cortex.
