Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026
14:57
Preparation of Acute Hippocampal Slices from Rats and Transgenic Mice for the Study of Synaptic Alterations during Aging and Amyloid Pathology
Published on: March 23, 2011
Age-independent synaptogenesis by phosphoinositide 3 kinase
Alfonso Martín-Peña1, Angel Acebes, José-Rodrigo Rodríguez
1Cajal Institute, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 28002 Madrid, Spain.
Summary
Phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K) levels control synapse numbers in neurons. PI3K activation promotes synapse formation and maintenance, offering potential for treating age-related cognitive decline and neurological disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Synapses are crucial for neuronal communication and cognitive function.
- Synapse loss is associated with brain aging and neurological diseases.
- Understanding molecular mechanisms regulating synapse number is critical.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K) in regulating synapse number.
- To explore PI3K's potential in counteracting synapse loss.
Main Methods:
- Studied PI3K's effect on synapse number in Drosophila larval motor neurons and adult brain projection neurons.
- Examined PI3K activity in aged adult neurons and human neuroblastoma cells.
- Assessed functional and behavioral changes associated with PI3K-induced synaptogenesis.
Main Results:
- PI3K levels were found to regulate synapse number in both Drosophila larval and adult neurons.
- PI3K overexpression led to functional supernumerary synapses, impacting behavior.
- PI3K activation induced synaptogenesis in aged neurons.
- Persistent PI3K activity is essential for synapse maintenance.
- PI3K influences synaptic marker expression and localization in human cells.
Conclusions:
- PI3K plays a conserved role in regulating synapse number and maintenance across species.
- PI3K stimulation presents a potential therapeutic strategy for preventing or delaying synapse loss in aging and neurological disorders.
Related Concept Videos
01:42Phosphoinositides and PIPs
Phosphoinositides are a group of phospholipids containing a glycerol backbone with two fatty acid chains and a phosphate attached to a myoinositol sugar ring. The inositol head group extends into the cytoplasm, where it is modified by adding phosphate groups to form phosphatidylinositol phosphates or PIPs.
Different phosphoinositides are synthesized and recruited on the cytosolic face of the plasma membrane. The localization of specific phosphoinositides concentrated in separate membrane...
Different phosphoinositides are synthesized and recruited on the cytosolic face of the plasma membrane. The localization of specific phosphoinositides concentrated in separate membrane...
01:11IP3/DAG Signaling Pathway
Membrane lipids such as phosphatidylinositol (PI) are precursors for several membrane-bound and soluble second messengers. Specific kinases phosphorylate PI and produce phosphorylated inositol phospholipids. One such inositol phospholipids are the phosphatidylinositol-4,5 bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2], present in the inner half of the lipid bilayer. Upon ligand binding, GPCR stimulates Gq proteins to turn on phospholipase Cꞵ. Activated phospholipase Cꞵ cleaves PI(4,5)P2 and produces two-second...
01:22PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway
The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast, mTORC2 consists of a rapamycin-insensitive companion...
01:15Neurogenesis and Regeneration of Nervous Tissue
In the CNS, neurogenesis, the birth of new neurons from stem cells, is limited to the hippocampus in adults. In other regions of the brain and spinal cord, neurogenesis is almost non-existent due to inhibitory influences from neuroglia, especially oligodendrocytes, and the absence of growth-stimulating cues. The myelin produced by oligodendrocytes in the CNS inhibits neuronal regeneration. Furthermore, astrocytes proliferate rapidly after neuronal damage, forming scar tissue that physically...
02:54Protein Kinases and Phosphatases
Proteins undergo chemical modifications that trigger changes in the charge, structure, and conformation of the proteins. Phosphorylation, acetylation, glycosylation, nitrosylation, ubiquitination, lipidation, methylation, and proteolysis are various protein modifications that regulate protein activity. Such modifications are usually enzyme-driven.
Protein kinases
Many proteins in the cell are regulated by phosphorylation, the addition of a phosphate group. A family of enzymes called kinases...
Protein kinases
Many proteins in the cell are regulated by phosphorylation, the addition of a phosphate group. A family of enzymes called kinases...