TrkB phosphorylation by Cdk5 is required for activity-dependent structural plasticity and spatial memory

Using a knock-in strategy to ablate a Cdk5-targeted serine phosphorylation site on residue 478 of the TrkB receptor, the authors demonstrate the role of this phosphorylation in activity-dependent functional and structural plasticity, as well as in learning and memory. They further show that TIAM1 and Rac1 act downstream of TrkB S478 phosphorylation during spine remodeling.