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Expression of synaptophysin during synapse formation between dissociated cortical neurons
M Ichikawa1, J Kimura-Kuroda, K Yasui
1Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Neurosciences, Japan.
Neuroscience Research
|November 1, 1991
Summary
Synaptophysin-immunoreactive spots, indicating presynaptic terminals, first appeared on cultured fetal rat cerebral cortical cells at 14 days in vitro. Their density increased over time, suggesting synapse formation and maturation in vitro.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- In vitro models are crucial for studying neuronal development.
- Understanding synapse formation is key to neuroscience research.
- Synaptophysin is a well-established marker for presynaptic terminals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the timeline of synapse formation in cultured fetal rat cerebral cortical neurons.
- To localize synaptophysin-immunoreactive presynaptic terminals in vitro.
- To characterize the developmental changes in synapse density over time.
Main Methods:
- Primary neuronal cultures were established from 14-day fetal rat cerebral cortices.
- Immunocytochemistry using a monoclonal antibody against synaptophysin was performed.
- Fluorescence and electron microscopy were used for ultrastructural analysis and localization.
Main Results:
- Synaptophysin-immunoreactive (SP-IR) spots, identified as presynaptic terminals, were first observed at 14 days in vitro (DIV).
- SP-IR spot density increased on cell bodies and neurites from 14 DIV onwards.
- By 42 and 104 DIV, SP-IR spots extensively covered the cultured neurons, indicating mature synaptic networks.
Conclusions:
- Dissociated fetal rat cerebral cortical neurons form synapses by 14 DIV in vitro.
- The density and maturity of synapses increase with extended culture time.
- This in vitro model provides a valuable system for studying neuronal synaptogenesis.