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Activity-induced synaptic structural modifications by Akt.

Yoon-Jung Kim1

  • 1Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University School of Dentistry, Seoul, 03080, South Korea.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|July 12, 2022
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The serine/threonine protein kinase Akt is crucial for synaptic growth and structural changes at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction. Akt signaling regulates both presynaptic and postsynaptic development, particularly in response to neural activity.

Keywords:
AktDrosophilaGhost boutonNeuromuscular junctionSynapse

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Synaptic plasticity and development rely on activity-dependent regulation of synaptic structures.
  • Signaling pathways governing these processes are not fully understood.
  • The Akt signaling pathway, downstream of PI3K, is vital for numerous cellular functions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of Akt in rapid synaptic structural modifications at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJ).
  • To elucidate Akt's function in pre- and postsynaptic growth and differentiation.
  • To determine if Akt's presynaptic role is activity-dependent.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism to study NMJ structure and function.
  • Compared akt mutant larvae with wild-type counterparts.
  • Analyzed synaptic growth, bouton number, and distribution of cysteine string protein (CSP).
  • Examined postsynaptic changes in the subsynaptic reticulum (SSR) under varying stimulation conditions.

Main Results:

  • Akt mutants exhibited reduced muscle size and increased bouton density, indicating impaired pre- and postsynaptic growth.
  • Cysteine string protein (CSP) levels and distribution were altered in akt mutants, with a dramatic increase after high K+ stimulation.
  • Ghost boutons, lacking postsynaptic specialization, were observed in akt mutants and increased with patterned stimulation.
  • Postsynaptic changes in the SSR of akt mutants occurred independently of stimulation.

Conclusions:

  • Akt signaling is essential for both presynaptic and postsynaptic growth and differentiation at the Drosophila NMJ.
  • Presynaptic development mediated by Akt is regulated in an activity-dependent manner.
  • Akt plays a critical role in synaptic plasticity and structural remodeling.