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Connexin36 mediates spike synchrony in olfactory bulb glomeruli
Jason M Christie1, Christine Bark, Sheriar G Hormuzdi
1Vollum Institute, Portland, Oregon, USA. christij@ohsu.edu
Neuron
|June 1, 2005
Summary
Connexin36 (Cx36) gap junctions synchronize olfactory bulb mitral cells. Cx36 knockout mice lack electrical coupling and correlated spiking, revealing Cx36
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cellular Biology
- Neurophysiology
Background:
- Neuronal synchrony is crucial for brain network function.
- Olfactory bulb mitral cells receive common input within glomeruli.
- Mitral cells exhibit both chemical and electrical coupling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of connexin-mediated gap junctions in mitral cell coordinated activity.
- To determine if connexin36 (Cx36) mediates electrical coupling between olfactory bulb mitral cells.
Main Methods:
- Utilized connexin36 (Cx36) knockout mice.
- Performed electrophysiological recordings to assess electrical coupling and correlated spiking.
- Conducted ultrastructural analysis of glomeruli to identify Cx36 localization.
Main Results:
- Electrical coupling and correlated spiking between mitral cells were absent in Cx36 knockout mice.
- Ultrastructural analysis confirmed Cx36 presence in mitral-mitral cell gap junctions on distal apical dendrites.
- Coupled AMPA responses between mitral cell pairs were abolished in Cx36 knockout mice, indicating electrical coupling's role.
Conclusions:
- Cx36-mediated gap junctions are essential for electrical coupling and synchronized activity of olfactory bulb mitral cells.
- This study identifies a novel form of electrochemical transmission orchestrated by Cx36 in the olfactory bulb.