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Chen JJ, Kaufmann WA, Chen C, Arai I, Kim O, Shigemoto R, Jonas P. Developmental transformation of Ca 2+ channel-vesicle nanotopography at a central GABAergic synapse. Neuron 2024; 112:755-771.e9. [PMID: 38215739 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
The coupling between Ca2+ channels and release sensors is a key factor defining the signaling properties of a synapse. However, the coupling nanotopography at many synapses remains unknown, and it is unclear how it changes during development. To address these questions, we examined coupling at the cerebellar inhibitory basket cell (BC)-Purkinje cell (PC) synapse. Biophysical analysis of transmission by paired recording and intracellular pipette perfusion revealed that the effects of exogenous Ca2+ chelators decreased during development, despite constant reliance of release on P/Q-type Ca2+ channels. Structural analysis by freeze-fracture replica labeling (FRL) and transmission electron microscopy (EM) indicated that presynaptic P/Q-type Ca2+ channels formed nanoclusters throughout development, whereas docked vesicles were only clustered at later developmental stages. Modeling suggested a developmental transformation from a more random to a more clustered coupling nanotopography. Thus, presynaptic signaling developmentally approaches a point-to-point configuration, optimizing speed, reliability, and energy efficiency of synaptic transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Jing Chen
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), Am Campus 1, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Walter A Kaufmann
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), Am Campus 1, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Chong Chen
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), Am Campus 1, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Itaru Arai
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), Am Campus 1, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Olena Kim
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), Am Campus 1, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Ryuichi Shigemoto
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), Am Campus 1, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Peter Jonas
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), Am Campus 1, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria.
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2
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Weichard I, Taschenberger H, Gsell F, Bornschein G, Ritzau-Jost A, Schmidt H, Kittel RJ, Eilers J, Neher E, Hallermann S, Nerlich J. Fully-primed slowly-recovering vesicles mediate presynaptic LTP at neocortical neurons. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2305460120. [PMID: 37856547 PMCID: PMC10614622 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2305460120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Pre- and postsynaptic forms of long-term potentiation (LTP) are candidate synaptic mechanisms underlying learning and memory. At layer 5 pyramidal neurons, LTP increases the initial synaptic strength but also short-term depression during high-frequency transmission. This classical form of presynaptic LTP has been referred to as redistribution of synaptic efficacy. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We therefore performed whole-cell recordings from layer 5 pyramidal neurons in acute cortical slices of rats and analyzed presynaptic function before and after LTP induction by paired pre- and postsynaptic neuronal activity. LTP was successfully induced in about half of the synaptic connections tested and resulted in increased synaptic short-term depression during high-frequency transmission and a decelerated recovery from short-term depression due to an increased fraction of a slow recovery component. Analysis with a recently established sequential two-step vesicle priming model indicates an increase in the abundance of fully-primed and slowly-recovering vesicles. A systematic analysis of short-term plasticity and synapse-to-synapse variability of synaptic strength at various types of synapses revealed that stronger synapses generally recover more slowly from synaptic short-term depression. Finally, pharmacological stimulation of the cyclic adenosine monophosphate and diacylglycerol signaling pathways, which are both known to promote synaptic vesicle priming, mimicked LTP and slowed the recovery from short-term depression. Our data thus demonstrate that LTP at layer 5 pyramidal neurons increases synaptic strength primarily by enlarging a subpool of fully-primed slowly-recovering vesicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iron Weichard
- Faculty of Medicine, Carl-Ludwig-Institute for Physiology, Leipzig University, Leipzig04103, Germany
| | - Holger Taschenberger
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen37075, Germany
| | - Felix Gsell
- Faculty of Medicine, Carl-Ludwig-Institute for Physiology, Leipzig University, Leipzig04103, Germany
| | - Grit Bornschein
- Faculty of Medicine, Carl-Ludwig-Institute for Physiology, Leipzig University, Leipzig04103, Germany
| | - Andreas Ritzau-Jost
- Faculty of Medicine, Carl-Ludwig-Institute for Physiology, Leipzig University, Leipzig04103, Germany
| | - Hartmut Schmidt
- Faculty of Medicine, Carl-Ludwig-Institute for Physiology, Leipzig University, Leipzig04103, Germany
| | - Robert J. Kittel
- Department of Animal Physiology, Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Leipzig04103, Germany
| | - Jens Eilers
- Faculty of Medicine, Carl-Ludwig-Institute for Physiology, Leipzig University, Leipzig04103, Germany
| | - Erwin Neher
- Emeritus Laboratory of Membrane Biophysics, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen37070, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence “Multiscale Bioimaging: From Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable Cells”, University of Göttingen, Göttingen37073, Germany
| | - Stefan Hallermann
- Faculty of Medicine, Carl-Ludwig-Institute for Physiology, Leipzig University, Leipzig04103, Germany
| | - Jana Nerlich
- Faculty of Medicine, Carl-Ludwig-Institute for Physiology, Leipzig University, Leipzig04103, Germany
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3
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Cingolani LA, Thalhammer A, Jaudon F, Muià J, Baj G. Nanoscale organization of Ca V2.1 splice isoforms at presynaptic terminals: implications for synaptic vesicle release and synaptic facilitation. Biol Chem 2023; 404:931-937. [PMID: 37658578 PMCID: PMC10695435 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2023-0235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
The distance between CaV2.1 voltage-gated Ca2+ channels and the Ca2+ sensor responsible for vesicle release at presynaptic terminals is critical for determining synaptic strength. Yet, the molecular mechanisms responsible for a loose coupling configuration of CaV2.1 in certain synapses or developmental periods and a tight one in others remain unknown. Here, we examine the nanoscale organization of two CaV2.1 splice isoforms (CaV2.1[EFa] and CaV2.1[EFb]) at presynaptic terminals by superresolution structured illumination microscopy. We find that CaV2.1[EFa] is more tightly co-localized with presynaptic markers than CaV2.1[EFb], suggesting that alternative splicing plays a crucial role in the synaptic organization of CaV2.1 channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo A. Cingolani
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, via Giorgieri 5, I-34127Trieste, Italy
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology (NSYN), Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, I-16132Genoa, Italy
| | - Agnes Thalhammer
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, via Giorgieri 5, I-34127Trieste, Italy
- Centro Interdipartimentale di Microscopia Avanzata (CIMA), University of Trieste, via Fleming 31, I-34127Trieste, Italy
| | - Fanny Jaudon
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, via Giorgieri 5, I-34127Trieste, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, I-16132Genoa, Italy
| | - Jessica Muià
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, via Giorgieri 5, I-34127Trieste, Italy
| | - Gabriele Baj
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, via Giorgieri 5, I-34127Trieste, Italy
- Centro Interdipartimentale di Microscopia Avanzata (CIMA), University of Trieste, via Fleming 31, I-34127Trieste, Italy
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Wender M, Bornschein G, Brachtendorf S, Hallermann S, Eilers J, Schmidt H. Ca v2.2 Channels Sustain Vesicle Recruitment at a Mature Glutamatergic Synapse. J Neurosci 2023; 43:4005-4018. [PMID: 37185239 PMCID: PMC10255130 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1279-22.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The composition of voltage-gated Ca2+ channel (Cav) subtypes that gate action potential (AP)-evoked release changes during the development of mammalian CNS synapses. Cav2.2 and Cav2.3 lose their function in gating-evoked release during postnatal synapse maturation. In mature boutons, Cav2.1 currents provide the almost exclusive trigger for evoked release, and Cav2.3 currents are required for the induction of presynaptic long-term potentiation. However, the functional significance of Cav2.2 remained elusive in mature boutons, although they remain present at active zones and continue contributing significantly to presynaptic Ca2+ influx. Here, we addressed the functional significance of Cav2.2 and Cav2.3 at mature parallel-fiber (PF) to Purkinje neuron synapses of mice of either sex. These synapses are known to exhibit the corresponding developmental Cav subtype changes in gating release. We addressed two hypotheses, namely that Cav2.2 and Cav2.3 are involved in triggering spontaneous glutamate release and that they are engaged in vesicle recruitment during repetitive evoked release. We found that spontaneous miniature release is Ca2+ dependent. However, experiments with Cav subtype-specific blockers excluded the spontaneous opening of Cavs as the Ca2+ source for spontaneous glutamate release. Thus, neither Cav2.2 nor Cav2.3 controls spontaneous release from PF boutons. Furthermore, vesicle recruitment during brief bursts of APs was also independent of Ca2+ influx through Cav2.2 and Cav2.3. However, Cav2.2, but not Cav2.3, currents significantly boosted vesicle recruitment during sustained high-frequency synaptic transmission. Thus, in mature PF boutons Cav2.2 channels are specifically required to sustain synaptic transmission during prolonged neuronal activity.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT At young CNS synapses, action potential-evoked release is gated via three subtypes of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels: Cav2.1, Cav2.2, and Cav2.3. During postnatal maturation, Cav2.2 and Cav2.3 lose their function in gating evoked release, such that at mature synapses Cav2.1 provides the almost exclusive source for triggering evoked release. Cav2.3 currents are required for the induction of presynaptic long-term potentiation. However, the function of the still abundant Cav2.2 in mature boutons remained largely elusive. Here, we studied mature cerebellar parallel-fiber synapses and found that Cav2.2 does not control spontaneous release. However, Ca2+ influx through Cav2.2 significantly boosted vesicle recruitment during trains of action potentials. Thus, Cav2.2 in mature parallel-fiber boutons participate in sustaining synaptic transmission during prolonged activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Wender
- Carl Ludwig Institute for Physiology, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Grit Bornschein
- Carl Ludwig Institute for Physiology, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Simone Brachtendorf
- Carl Ludwig Institute for Physiology, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stefan Hallermann
- Carl Ludwig Institute for Physiology, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jens Eilers
- Carl Ludwig Institute for Physiology, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Hartmut Schmidt
- Carl Ludwig Institute for Physiology, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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5
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Browne LP, Crespo A, Grubb MS. Rapid presynaptic maturation in naturally regenerating axons of the adult mouse olfactory nerve. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111750. [PMID: 36476871 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful neuronal regeneration requires the reestablishment of synaptic connectivity. This process requires the reconstitution of presynaptic neurotransmitter release, which we investigate here in a model of entirely natural regeneration. After toxin-induced injury, olfactory sensory neurons in the adult mouse olfactory epithelium can regenerate fully, sending axons via the olfactory nerve to reestablish synaptic contact with postsynaptic partners in the olfactory bulb. Using electrophysiological recordings in acute slices, we find that, after initial recontact, functional connectivity in this system is rapidly established. Reconnecting presynaptic terminals have almost mature functional properties, including high release probability and strong capacity for presynaptic inhibition. Release probability then matures quickly, rendering reestablished terminals functionally indistinguishable from controls just 1 week after initial contact. These data show that successful synaptic regeneration in the adult mammalian brain is almost a "plug-and-play" process, with presynaptic terminals undergoing a rapid phase of functional maturation as they reintegrate into target networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorcan P Browne
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Andres Crespo
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Matthew S Grubb
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK.
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6
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Pilch KS, Ramgoolam KH, Dolphin AC. Involvement of Ca V 2.2 channels and α 2 δ-1 in homeostatic synaptic plasticity in cultured hippocampal neurons. J Physiol 2022; 600:5333-5351. [PMID: 36377048 PMCID: PMC10107484 DOI: 10.1113/jp283600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In the mammalian brain, presynaptic CaV 2 channels play a pivotal role in synaptic transmission by mediating fast neurotransmitter exocytosis via influx of Ca2+ into the active zone of presynaptic terminals. However, the distribution and modulation of CaV 2.2 channels at plastic hippocampal synapses remains to be elucidated. Here, we assess CaV 2.2 channels during homeostatic synaptic plasticity, a compensatory form of homeostatic control preventing excessive or insufficient neuronal activity during which extensive active zone remodelling has been described. We show that chronic silencing of neuronal activity in mature hippocampal cultures resulted in elevated presynaptic Ca2+ transients, mediated by increased levels of CaV 2.2 channels at the presynaptic site. This work focused further on the role of α2 δ-1 subunits, important regulators of synaptic transmission and CaV 2.2 channel abundance at the presynaptic membrane. We found that α2 δ-1 overexpression reduces the contribution of CaV 2.2 channels to total Ca2+ flux without altering the amplitude of the Ca2+ transients. Levels of endogenous α2 δ-1 decreased during homeostatic synaptic plasticity, whereas the overexpression of α2 δ-1 prevented homeostatic synaptic plasticity in hippocampal neurons. Together, this study reveals a key role for CaV 2.2 channels and novel roles for α2 δ-1 during synaptic plastic adaptation. KEY POINTS: The roles of CaV 2.2 channels and α2 δ-1 in homeostatic synaptic plasticity in hippocampal neurons in culture were examined. Chronic silencing of neuronal activity resulted in elevated presynaptic Ca2+ transients, mediated by increased levels of CaV 2.2 channels at presynaptic sites. The level of endogenous α2 δ-1 decreased during homeostatic synaptic plasticity, whereas overexpression of α2 δ-1 prevented homeostatic synaptic plasticity in hippocampal neurons. Together, this study reveals a key role for CaV 2.2 channels and novel roles for α2 δ-1 during synaptic plastic adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kjara S. Pilch
- Department of NeurosciencePhysiology and PharmacologyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Krishma H. Ramgoolam
- Department of NeurosciencePhysiology and PharmacologyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Annette C. Dolphin
- Department of NeurosciencePhysiology and PharmacologyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
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7
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Eshra A, Schmidt H, Eilers J, Hallermann S. Calcium dependence of neurotransmitter release at a high fidelity synapse. eLife 2021; 10:70408. [PMID: 34612812 PMCID: PMC8494478 DOI: 10.7554/elife.70408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The Ca2+-dependence of the priming, fusion, and replenishment of synaptic vesicles are fundamental parameters controlling neurotransmitter release and synaptic plasticity. Despite intense efforts, these important steps in the synaptic vesicles’ cycle remain poorly understood due to the technical challenge in disentangling vesicle priming, fusion, and replenishment. Here, we investigated the Ca2+-sensitivity of these steps at mossy fiber synapses in the rodent cerebellum, which are characterized by fast vesicle replenishment mediating high-frequency signaling. We found that the basal free Ca2+ concentration (<200 nM) critically controls action potential-evoked release, indicating a high-affinity Ca2+ sensor for vesicle priming. Ca2+ uncaging experiments revealed a surprisingly shallow and non-saturating relationship between release rate and intracellular Ca2+ concentration up to 50 μM. The rate of vesicle replenishment during sustained elevated intracellular Ca2+ concentration exhibited little Ca2+-dependence. Finally, quantitative mechanistic release schemes with five Ca2+ binding steps incorporating rapid vesicle replenishment via parallel or sequential vesicle pools could explain our data. We thus show that co-existing high- and low-affinity Ca2+ sensors mediate priming, fusion, and replenishment of synaptic vesicles at a high-fidelity synapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdelmoneim Eshra
- Carl-Ludwig-Institute for Physiology, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Hartmut Schmidt
- Carl-Ludwig-Institute for Physiology, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jens Eilers
- Carl-Ludwig-Institute for Physiology, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stefan Hallermann
- Carl-Ludwig-Institute for Physiology, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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Li J, Deng S, He Q, Ke W, Shu Y. Asynchronous Glutamate Release at Autapses Regulates Spike Reliability and Precision in Mouse Neocortical Pyramidal Cells. Cereb Cortex 2021; 31:2278-2290. [PMID: 33279969 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhaa361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autapses are self-synapses of a neuron. Inhibitory autapses in the neocortex release GABA in 2 modes, synchronous release and asynchronous release (AR), providing precise and prolonged self-inhibition, respectively. A subpopulation of neocortical pyramidal cells (PCs) also forms functional autapses, activation of which promotes burst firing by strong unitary autaptic response that reflects synchronous glutamate release. However, it remains unclear whether AR occurs at PC autapses and plays a role in neuronal signaling. We performed whole-cell recordings from layer-5 PCs in slices of mouse prefrontal cortex (PFC). In response to action potential (AP) burst, 63% of PCs showed robust long-lasting autaptic AR, much stronger than synaptic AR between neighboring PCs. The autaptic AR is mediated predominantly by P/Q-type Ca2+ channels, and its strength depends on the intensity of PC activity and the level of residual Ca2+. Further experiments revealed that autaptic AR enhances spiking activities but reduces the temporal precision of post-burst APs. Together, the results show the occurrence of AR at PC autapses, the delayed and persistent glutamate AR causes self-excitation in individual PCs but may desynchronize the autaptic PC population. Thus, glutamatergic autapses should be essential elements in PFC and contribute to cortical information processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junlong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Suixin Deng
- Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institute for Translational Brain Research, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Quansheng He
- Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institute for Translational Brain Research, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Wei Ke
- Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institute for Translational Brain Research, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yousheng Shu
- Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institute for Translational Brain Research, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
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Dolphin AC, Lee A. Presynaptic calcium channels: specialized control of synaptic neurotransmitter release. Nat Rev Neurosci 2020; 21:213-229. [PMID: 32161339 PMCID: PMC7873717 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-020-0278-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Chemical synapses are heterogeneous junctions formed between neurons that are specialized for the conversion of electrical impulses into the exocytotic release of neurotransmitters. Voltage-gated Ca2+ channels play a pivotal role in this process as they are the major conduits for the Ca2+ ions that trigger the fusion of neurotransmitter-containing vesicles with the presynaptic membrane. Alterations in the intrinsic function of these channels and their positioning within the active zone can profoundly alter the timing and strength of synaptic output. Advances in optical and electron microscopic imaging, structural biology and molecular techniques have facilitated recent breakthroughs in our understanding of the properties of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels that support their presynaptic functions. Here we examine the nature of these channels, how they are trafficked to and anchored within presynaptic boutons, and the mechanisms that allow them to function optimally in shaping the flow of information through neural circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette C Dolphin
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, London, UK.
| | - Amy Lee
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
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Heine M, Holcman D. Asymmetry Between Pre- and Postsynaptic Transient Nanodomains Shapes Neuronal Communication. Trends Neurosci 2020; 43:182-196. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2020.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 01/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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11
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Bornschein G, Brachtendorf S, Schmidt H. Developmental Increase of Neocortical Presynaptic Efficacy via Maturation of Vesicle Replenishment. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2020; 11:36. [PMID: 32009937 PMCID: PMC6974464 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2019.00036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The efficacy of neocortical synapses to transmit during bursts of action potentials (APs) increases during development but the underlying mechanisms are largely unclear. We investigated synaptic efficacy at synapses between layer 5 pyramidal neurons (L5PNs) during development, using paired recordings, presynaptic two-photon Ca2+ imaging, and numerical simulations. Our data confirm a developmental increase in paired-pulse ratios (PPRs). Independent of age, Ca2+ imaging revealed no AP invasion failures and linear summation of presynaptic Ca2+ transients, making differences in Ca2+ signaling an unlikely reason for developmental changes in PPR. Cumulative excitatory postsynaptic current (EPSC) amplitudes indicate that neither the size of the readily-releasable pool (RRP) nor replenishment rates were different between age groups, while the time-courses of depression differed significantly. At young synapses, EPSCs depressed rapidly to near steady-state during the first four APs, and synaptic failures (Fsyn) increased from 0 to 30%. At mature synapses this drop was significantly slower and strongly biphasic, such that near steady-state depression was reached not before 18 APs with Fsyn remaining between 0 and 5%. While young synapses reliably transmitted during pairs of APs, albeit with strong depression, mature synapses maintained near 100% transfer efficacy with significantly less depression during high-frequency bursts of APs. Our analysis indicates that at mature synapses a replenishment pool (RepP) is responsible for their high efficacy during bursting activity, while this RepP is functionally immature at young synapses. Hence, our data provide evidence that the functional maturation of a RepP underlies increasing synaptic efficacy during the development of an excitatory cortical synapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grit Bornschein
- Carl-Ludwig-Institute for Physiology, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Simone Brachtendorf
- Carl-Ludwig-Institute for Physiology, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Hartmut Schmidt
- Carl-Ludwig-Institute for Physiology, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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