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Expression of DMAP-45R in the rat visual cortex is modulated by visual experience
D Werner1, N Hawrylak, T A Comery
1Department of Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana 61801, USA.
Abstract:
Effects of visual experience upon expression of a developmentally regulated microtubule-associated protein (MAP) were studied in the visual cortex of monocularly deprived rats. The antibody Drosophila MAP-45 (DMAP-45) recognizes proteins in the developing ventral nerve cord of Drosophila and in rat brain. Monocular deprivation from day 12, before eye opening, to day 80 reduced the number of DMAP-45 immunoreactive layer V pyramidal cell apical dendrites in the monocular segment (Oc1M) of the visual cortex contralateral to the deprived eye. No significant visual deprivation effects were seen in the binocular segment (Oc1B). Immunoreactivity was restored to control levels in Oc1M of rats in which the monocular sutures were removed at day 75, subsequently allowing 5 days of exposure to light. These results indicate potential involvement of this MAP in experience-dependent structural plasticity.
Insights
Visual experience impacts microtubule-associated protein (MAP) expression in rat brains. Monocular deprivation altered MAP-45 in the visual cortex, suggesting a role in structural plasticity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) are crucial for neuronal structure and function.
- Visual experience plays a role in the development and plasticity of the visual cortex.
- The specific role of MAPs in experience-dependent visual cortex plasticity is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of visual experience on the expression of a specific microtubule-associated protein (MAP), Drosophila MAP-45 (DMAP-45), in the rat visual cortex.
- To determine if monocular deprivation influences the structural localization of DMAP-45 in developing visual cortex.
- To assess the reversibility of any observed changes with subsequent visual experience.
Main Methods:
- Monocular deprivation was induced in rats from postnatal day 12 to day 80.
- Immunohistochemistry using an antibody against Drosophila MAP-45 (DMAP-45) was employed to visualize protein expression.
- The visual cortex was analyzed, specifically the monocular (Oc1M) and binocular (Oc1B) segments, for DMAP-45 immunoreactivity in layer V pyramidal cell apical dendrites.
- Reversibility was tested by removing sutures and allowing light exposure for 5 days.
Main Results:
- Monocular deprivation significantly reduced DMAP-45 immunoreactive apical dendrites in layer V pyramidal cells within the visual cortex's monocular segment (Oc1M) contralateral to the deprived eye.
- No significant effects of visual deprivation were observed in the binocular segment (Oc1B).
- Restoration of DMAP-45 immunoreactivity to control levels was observed in Oc1M after a short period of light exposure following suture removal.
Conclusions:
- The study demonstrates that visual experience influences the expression and localization of DMAP-45 in the developing rat visual cortex.
- These findings suggest that DMAP-45 is involved in experience-dependent structural plasticity within the visual system.
- The results highlight the dynamic nature of neuronal structure in response to sensory input.