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Related Concept Videos

Glial Cells01:04

Glial Cells

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Overview
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Nervous Tissue: Glial Cells01:31

Nervous Tissue: Glial Cells

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Glia, or neuroglia, are vital support cells that assist neurons in their functions. The term "glia" originates from the Greek word for "glue," reflecting their role in holding the nervous system together. These cells can be categorized into six types: four in the central nervous system (CNS) and two in the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
The CNS glial cell includes the astrocytes, the oligodendrocytes, the microglia, and the ependymal cells.
Astrocytes are star-shaped glial...
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Excitatory and Inhibitory Effects of Neurotransmitters01:29

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When an action potential reaches the presynaptic axon terminal, it releases neurotransmitters from the neuron into the synaptic cleft at a chemical synapse. The released neurotransmitter can be excitatory or inhibitory. The critical criteria commonly used to determine whether a molecule is a neurotransmitter at a chemical synapse are the molecule's presence in the presynaptic neuron. Second, its release is in response to strong presynaptic depolarization. And lastly, the presence of...
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Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism01:30

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Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that play a vital role in intercellular communication and functions of the nervous system. They allow the influx of ions across the membrane once the neurotransmitter binds, allowing the subsequent transmission of electrical excitation across the neurons. Other ligand-gated ion channels, like the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor, permit anions like chloride into the cells on the binding of the GABA molecule. Their entry into the cell...
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Neurogenesis and Regeneration of Nervous Tissue01:15

Neurogenesis and Regeneration of Nervous Tissue

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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...
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Integration of Synaptic Events01:28

Integration of Synaptic Events

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Synaptic integration mainly includes the summation of graded potentials. Graded potentials, regardless of their type, cause subtle alterations in membrane voltage, resulting in either depolarization or hyperpolarization. These incremental changes, when combined or summed, can propel the neuron toward its threshold. Consider, for example, a membrane experiencing a +15 mV shift, causing it to depolarize from -70 mV to -55 mV. In this scenario, graded potentials govern the membrane's ability to...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 25, 2025

Inhibitory Synapse Formation in a Co-culture Model Incorporating GABAergic Medium Spiny Neurons and HEK293 Cells Stably Expressing GABAA Receptors
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Inhibitory Synapse Formation in a Co-culture Model Incorporating GABAergic Medium Spiny Neurons and HEK293 Cells Stably Expressing GABAA Receptors

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Glia in inhibitory synaptogenesis.

Leslie K Ferrarelli1

  • 1Science Signaling, AAAS, Washington, DC 20005, USA.

Science Signaling
|May 28, 2024
PubMed
Summary

Astrocyte-secreted neurocan plays a crucial role in brain development. This protein guides the formation of inhibitory neural circuits, essential for proper brain function.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Astrocytes are glial cells in the central nervous system.
  • Formation of neural circuits is critical for brain function.
  • Inhibitory circuits regulate neuronal activity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of astrocyte-secreted neurocan.
  • To understand how neurocan influences the formation of inhibitory brain circuits.

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistochemistry
  • In situ hybridization
  • Genetic manipulation of neurocan expression in astrocytes

Main Results:

  • Neurocan is secreted by astrocytes.

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 25, 2025

Inhibitory Synapse Formation in a Co-culture Model Incorporating GABAergic Medium Spiny Neurons and HEK293 Cells Stably Expressing GABAA Receptors
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Quantifying Synapses: an Immunocytochemistry-based Assay to Quantify Synapse Number
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  • Astrocyte-derived neurocan is essential for the proper guidance of inhibitory circuit formation.
  • Disruption of neurocan signaling alters inhibitory synapse development.

    • Conclusions:

    • Astrocyte-secreted neurocan is a key signaling molecule.
    • Neurocan actively guides the assembly of inhibitory neural networks in the brain.
    • This finding sheds light on astrocyte-mediated regulation of neuronal connectivity.