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Related Concept Videos

Lysosomal Hydrolases01:22

Lysosomal Hydrolases

Lysosomes are the site for the degradation of macromolecules and biological polymers released during membrane trafficking events such as secretory, endocytic, autophagic, and phagocytic pathways. The membrane-enclosed area of the lysosome, called the lumen, contains hydrolytic enzymes active in an acidic environment. These acid hydrolases are functional at a pH between 4.5 and 5 and are involved in cellular processes such as cell signaling, energy metabolism, restoration of the plasma membrane,...
Neurogenesis and Regeneration of Nervous Tissue01:15

Neurogenesis 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...
Maturation of Endosomes01:28

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The early endosome containing internalized molecules matures through transformations in its location, morphology, intraluminal pH, and membrane protein composition. Together, these changes result in a more acidic late endosome that contains multiple intraluminal vesicles; therefore, the late endosome is also called a multivesicular body (MVB).
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Neurons: The Axon01:21

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Long-term Depression01:03

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Long-term depression, or LTD, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTD is the process of synaptic weakening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic weakening of LTD works in opposition to synaptic strengthening by long-term potentiation (LTP) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
Calcium Ion Concentration Mechanism
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Long-term Depression01:05

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Long-term depression, or LTD, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTD is the process of synaptic weakening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic weakening of LTD works in opposition to synaptic strengthening by long-term potentiation (LTP) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.

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Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Morphological and Functional Evaluation of Axons and their Synapses during Axon Death in Drosophila melanogaster
10:29

Morphological and Functional Evaluation of Axons and their Synapses during Axon Death in Drosophila melanogaster

Published on: March 16, 2020

Lysosomal activity associated with developmental axon pruning.

Jae W Song1, Thomas Misgeld, Hyuno Kang

  • 1Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA.

The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience
|September 5, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Cellular debris removal is vital for nervous system development. This study shows lysosomal activity aids in clearing pruned axon branches during synapse elimination.

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Expanding the Toolkit for In Vivo Imaging of Axonal Transport
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Published on: December 23, 2021

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Cellular debris clearance is crucial for nervous system development, with lysosomal storage diseases causing severe neurological issues.
  • Synapse elimination, a key developmental process, generates significant axonal debris whose fate remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of lysosomal activity in both neurons and glia in the removal of axon branches during early postnatal development.
  • To determine if lysosomal function is essential for the clearance of pruned axonal material.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a probe to visualize and quantify lysosomal activity in the developing nervous system.
  • Examined axon branch clearance in a mouse model exhibiting a lysosomal storage disease.
  • Observed lysosomal activity in the cerebellum during climbing fiber elimination.

Main Results:

  • Robust lysosomal activity was detected in association with retracting motor axons.
  • Axon removal was significantly slower in mice with impaired lysosomal function.
  • Lysosomal activity correlated with the timing and location of climbing fiber elimination in the cerebellum.

Conclusions:

  • Lysosomal activity plays a critical role in the clearance of axon branches during synapse elimination.
  • Lysosomal function is essential for efficient removal of cellular debris generated during nervous system development.
  • Lysosomal activity staining can serve as a marker for active axon pruning in the developing brain.