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Related Experiment Video

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Electrophysiological Investigations of Retinogeniculate and Corticogeniculate Synapse Function
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Postsynaptic and Presynaptic NMDARs Have Distinct Roles in Visual Circuit Development.

Philip Kesner1, Anne Schohl1, Elodie C Warren1

  • 1Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal QC H3A 2B4, Canada.

Cell Reports
|July 30, 2020
PubMed
Summary

This study reveals distinct roles for N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) in both presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons. Manipulating NMDARs in the developing visual system impacts synaptic function and neuronal structure.

Keywords:
Morpholino oligonucleotideXenopusaxondendritereceptive fieldretinotectalsynapsetwo-photon microscopyvisual systemwhole-cell electrophysiology

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) are crucial for synaptic plasticity and neuronal development.
  • Understanding the specific roles of presynaptic and postsynaptic NMDARs in circuit formation is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the distinct contributions of presynaptic and postsynaptic NMDARs in the developing visual system of Xenopus laevis.
  • To elucidate how NMDARs regulate synaptic function and structural development in the retinotectal circuit.

Main Methods:

  • Microinjection of antisense Morpholino oligonucleotide (MO) against GluN1 into two-cell-stage embryos to achieve cell-specific NMDAR knockdown.
  • Electrophysiological recordings to measure NMDAR- and AMPAR-mediated currents and spontaneous synaptic events.
  • Analysis of axonal and dendritic arbor complexity to assess structural changes.

Main Results:

  • Postsynaptic NMDAR knockdown reduced evoked retinotectal currents and altered synaptic release probability.
  • Presynaptic NMDAR knockdown led to larger evoked and unitary synaptic responses.
  • Knockdown of NMDARs in either compartment induced complementary structural changes in axonal and dendritic arbors.

Conclusions:

  • Presynaptic and postsynaptic NMDARs play distinct and complementary roles in the development of the visual circuit.
  • NMDARs mediate extensive transsynaptic regulation of both synaptic function and neuronal structure during circuit formation.