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Published on: September 4, 2017
Semaphorin3A regulates synaptic function of differentiated hippocampal neurons
Farima Bouzioukh1, Gaël Daoudal, Julien Falk
1NMDA UMR CNRS 6156, IBDM, Université de la Méditerranée, Parc Scientifique de Luminy, CASE 901 13288 Marseille cedex 9, France.
The European Journal of Neuroscience
|May 19, 2006
Summary
Semaphorin3A (Sema3A) reduces synaptic transmission efficacy in adult hippocampal neurons. This secreted semaphorin modulates synapse morphology and function by decreasing key synaptic proteins.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Synaptic Plasticity
Background:
- Semaphorins are known chemorepellents for developing neurons.
- Persistent expression in adults suggests roles in mature neuronal circuits.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the functional properties of semaphorin3A (Sema3A) in adult hippocampal neurons.
- Determine Sema3A's effect on synaptic transmission and morphology.
Main Methods:
- Hippocampal slice electrophysiology
- In situ hybridization
- Confocal microscopy
- Biochemical assays (Western blotting)
- Neuronal culture and stimulation
Main Results:
- Semaphorin3A application decreased synaptic transmission efficacy in the CA1 region.
- Neuropilin-1, a Sema3A receptor, was localized to presynaptic hippocampal synapses.
- Sema3A induced Erk1/2 phosphorylation in cultured hippocampal neurons.
- Sema3A significantly reduced synaptophysin and PSD-95 puncta, indicating synapse loss, without altering axon diameter.
Conclusions:
- Semaphorin3A plays a novel role in modulating synaptic function and morphology in the adult brain.
- Secreted semaphorins can regulate synaptic transmission and protein composition.
- These findings suggest semaphorins as potential targets for modulating adult neural circuit function.
