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Updated: Aug 10, 2026
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Transmission Electron Microscopy as the Visualization Technique for Analysis of Circadian Synaptic Plasticity in the Mouse Barrel Cortex
Published on: August 19, 2025
Role of efficient neurotransmitter release in barrel map development
Hui-Chen Lu1, Daniel A Butts, Pascal S Kaeser
1Department of Neuroscience, Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. hclu@bcm.tmc.edu
Summary
Efficient neurotransmitter release, regulated by calcium/calmodulin-activated adenylyl cyclase I (AC1), is crucial for developing precise cortical maps. Impaired release in AC1 or RIM1alpha mutants disrupts neuronal map formation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Synaptic Plasticity
Background:
- Cortical maps exhibit precise organization of thalamocortical afferents (TCAs) into neuronal modules.
- The molecular mechanisms underlying the development of this precise organization are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of efficient neurotransmitter release in mouse cortical barrel map development.
- To elucidate the involvement of calcium/calmodulin-activated adenylyl cyclase I (AC1) and RIM proteins in this process.
Main Methods:
- Utilized barrelless mice (AC1 loss-of-function) and RIM1alpha mutant mice.
- Assessed neurotransmitter release efficacy in TCAs.
- Examined cortical barrel map formation and structure.
Main Results:
- Barrelless TCAs showed significantly decreased neurotransmitter release efficacy.
- AC1 directly phosphorylates RIM proteins in presynaptic terminals.
- RIM1alpha mutant mice exhibited reduced release efficacy and barrel map deficits, though less severe than barrelless mice.
Conclusions:
- Efficient synaptic transmission mediated by AC1 is essential for cortical barrel map development.
- RIM proteins partially mediate AC1 signaling in this developmental process.
- Presynaptic function inadequacies can disrupt activity-dependent neuronal circuit formation.
