Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Post-embedding Immunogold Labeling of Synaptic Proteins in Hippocampal Slice Cultures
Published on: April 3, 2013
Polyribosomes redistribute from dendritic shafts into spines with enlarged synapses during LTP in developing rat
Linnaea E Ostroff1, John C Fiala, Brenda Allwardt
1Biology Department, Program in Neuroscience, Boston University, 5 Cummington Street, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
Abstract:
The presence of polyribosomes in dendritic spines suggests a potential involvement of local protein synthesis in the modification of synapses. Dendritic spine and synapse ultrastructure were compared after low-frequency control or tetanic stimulation in hippocampal slices from postnatal day (P)15 rats. The percentage of spines containing polyribosomes increased from 12% +/- 4% after control stimulation to 39% +/- 4% after tetanic stimulation, with a commensurate loss of polyribosomes from dendritic shafts at 2 hr posttetanus. Postsynaptic densities on spines containing polyribosomes were larger after tetanic stimulation. Local protein synthesis might therefore serve to stabilize stimulation-induced growth of the postsynaptic density. Furthermore, coincident polyribosomes and synapse enlargement might indicate spines that are expressing long-term potentiation induced by tetanic stimulation.
More Related Videos
10:03Isolation of CA1 Nuclear Enriched Fractions from Hippocampal Slices to Study Activity-dependent Nuclear Import of Synapto-nuclear Messenger Proteins
Published on: August 10, 2014
04:58Rapid Golgi Stain for Dendritic Spine Visualization in Hippocampus and Prefrontal Cortex
Published on: December 3, 2021
Related Concept Videos
Long-term Depression
Ribosomal RNA Synthesis
Ribosome biogenesis begins with the synthesis of 5S and 45S pre-rRNAs by distinct RNA polymerases. The primary transcripts are extensively processed and modified before they are bound and folded by ribosomal proteins and assembly factors,...
Long-term Potentiation
Hebbian LTP
LTP can occur when presynaptic neurons...
Long-term Depression
Calcium Ion Concentration Mechanism
If over time, all...