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mRNA distribution within dendrites: relationship to afferent innervation
1Department of Neuroscience, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville 22908, USA.
Journal of Neurobiology
|March 1, 1995
Summary
Neuronal mRNA distribution in dendrites is not significantly altered by afferent input removal or stimulation. This suggests local dendritic factors, not just innervation, regulate mRNA localization in hippocampal neurons.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Neuronal mRNAs are primarily in cell bodies, but some are found in dendrites.
- Understanding dendritic mRNA distribution is key to neuronal function and plasticity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between afferent innervation and dendritic mRNA distribution in hippocampal neurons.
- To determine if mRNA distribution is regulated by the presence or activity of afferent inputs.
Main Methods:
- In situ hybridization was used to analyze mRNA distribution in hippocampal principal neurons.
- Entorhinal cortex lesions and prolonged afferent stimulation were employed to manipulate innervation.
Main Results:
- Calcium/calmodulin dependent protein kinase II (CAMII) kinase mRNA was widespread in dendrites.
- Microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) mRNA showed a more limited, laminar distribution in the dentate gyrus.
- Denervation caused minor decreases in CAMII and MAP2 mRNA levels but no distribution changes.
- Prolonged stimulation did not alter MAP2 or CAMII mRNA distribution but increased glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) mRNA.
Conclusions:
- Afferent innervation does not appear to significantly regulate the laminar distribution of CAMII and MAP2 mRNAs in hippocampal dendrites.
- Local factors within dendrites may play a more critical role in mRNA localization than previously thought.