SynGAP: Proteins and Enzymes

Synaptic Ras GTPase Activating Protein (SynGAP) is a PDZ-domain interacting protein expressed almost exclusively in the brain. SynGAP has been shown to be a major component of postsynaptic density and associates with post synaptic density 95 kDa (PSD-95), a synaptic scaffold protein, and synaptic N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. SynGAP Ras-GTPase activity has also been shown to be inhibited by phosphorylation by CaM kinase II, another abundant protein located in the postsynaptic density. It has been proposed that SynGAP may function as a negative regulator of MAP Kinase activation in the absence of active NMDA receptors.