A Brainwide Atlas of Synaptic Nanoarchitecture Across the Mouse Lifespan

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Authors: Takeshi Kaizuka, Zhen Qiu, Edita Bulovaite, Katie Morris, Tianxiao Zhao, Candace Adams, Gabor Varga, Digin Dominic, Noboru H. Komiyama, Mathew H. Horrocks, Seth G.N. Grant
Cited by: 1
References: 58

Abstract

SUMMARY How biological complexity emerges from the ordered assembly of molecular building blocks into supramolecular systems remains a central question, particularly in the mammalian brain with its vast synaptic diversity. We introduce NanoSYNMAP, a genetic, optical, and computational platform that integrates FRET with synaptome mapping to quantify nanoscale proximity of proteins in individual synapses brain-wide. We generate the first brain atlas of synaptic nanoarchitecture, based on the proximity of postsynaptic MAGUK supercomplexes. This reveals a molecular logic in which spacing of supramolecular assemblies specifies nanoscale architecture that organizes the global synaptome architecture. Nanoarchitecture varies across brain regions, differentiates during postnatal development, and remodels with aging. Supercomplex proximity reflects scaffold abundance, nanodomain organization, and competitive interactions among MAGUK assemblies. Deletion of a neuropsychiatric risk gene triggers widespread reorganization of nanoscale architecture. These findings establish molecular proximity as a fundamental scalable dimension of synapse diversity in health and disease.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research Alzheimer's disease research and treatments Microtubule and mitosis dynamics

Publication details

Journal / source
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
Publisher
openRxiv
Publication date
18 February 2026
Document type
Preprint