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Investigating Long-term Synaptic Plasticity in Interlamellar Hippocampus CA1 by Electrophysiological Field Recording
Published on: August 11, 2019
Sonic hedgehog regulates presynaptic terminal size, ultrastructure and function in hippocampal neurons
Nicholas Mitchell1, Ronald S Petralia, Duane G Currier
1Laboratory of Neurosciences, National Institute on Aging Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
Journal of Cell Science
|May 30, 2012
Summary
Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling influences hippocampal neuron structure. Shh application enlarges presynaptic terminals and increases excitatory postsynaptic current frequency in mature neurons.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Signaling
Background:
- Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling is crucial for embryonic neural tube development.
- Its role in postmitotic neurons of the adult brain is largely unknown.
- Shh signaling components are present in postnatal and adult hippocampal neurons.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the function of Shh signaling in differentiated hippocampal neurons.
- To determine if Shh impacts the structure and function of presynaptic terminals.
Main Methods:
- Cultured hippocampal neurons were used as a model system.
- Application of Shh to neuronal cultures.
- Ultrastructural analysis of presynaptic terminals.
- Electrophysiological recordings of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs).
Main Results:
- Shh application led to significantly larger presynaptic terminals.
- Ultrastructural examination revealed enlarged presynaptic profiles and increased synaptic vesicle size.
- Electrophysiological analysis showed increased mEPSC frequency, but not amplitude, in response to Shh.
Conclusions:
- Shh signaling selectively regulates the structure of presynaptic terminals in hippocampal neurons.
- Shh influences the functional properties of these presynaptic terminals.
- This study provides functional evidence for Shh's role in mature neuronal circuits.
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