A Resource for Exploring Regional Diversity in the Male Rat Brain Synaptic Proteome

Authors:

Abstract
The functional complexity of the mammalian brain is rooted in the diverse protein composition of synapses across distinct regions. To address the need for a detailed molecular understanding of this regional diversity, we generated the first comprehensive proteomic map of synaptosomes from six key rat brain regions: anterior cortex, posterior cortex, hippocampus, striatum, olfactory bulb, and cerebellum. Using high-resolution quantitative proteome and the Percoll density gradient ultracentrifugation, we identified 3,440 proteins and yielded high synaptic enrichment (60.11% synapse-unique proteins). In-depth functional analysis using the SynGO database revealed region-specific enrichments in the cellular components and biological processes. This study provides a valuable resource and foundational insights into the molecular architecture underlying regional synaptic diversity, paving the way for future investigations into brain function and neurological disorders.