{"title":"Visualizing Presynaptic Active Zones and Synaptic Vesicles.","authors":"Manfred Heckmann, Martin Pauli","doi":"10.3389/fnsyn.2022.901341","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fnsyn.2022.901341","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The presynaptic active zone (AZ) of chemical synapses is a highly dynamic compartment where synaptic vesicle fusion and neurotransmitter release take place. During evolution the AZ was optimized for speed, accuracy, and reliability of chemical synaptic transmission in combination with miniaturization and plasticity. Single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) offers nanometer spatial resolution as well as information about copy number, localization, and orientation of proteins of interest in AZs. This type of imaging allows quantifications of activity dependent AZ reorganizations, e.g., in the context of presynaptic homeostatic potentiation. In combination with high-pressure freezing and optogenetic or electrical stimulation AZs can be imaged with millisecond temporal resolution during synaptic activity. Therefore SMLM allows the determination of key parameters in the complex spatial environment of AZs, necessary for next generation simulations of chemical synapses with realistic protein arrangements.</p>","PeriodicalId":12650,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Synaptic Neuroscience","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2022-05-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9159495/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42494721","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Chemical Imaging and Analysis of Single Nerve Cells by Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry Imaging and Cellular Electrochemistry.","authors":"Alicia A Lork, Kim L L Vo, Nhu T N Phan","doi":"10.3389/fnsyn.2022.854957","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fnsyn.2022.854957","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A nerve cell is a unit of neuronal communication in the nervous system and is a heterogeneous molecular structure, which is highly mediated to accommodate cellular functions. Understanding the complex regulatory mechanisms of neural communication at the single cell level requires analytical techniques with high sensitivity, specificity, and spatial resolution. Challenging technologies for chemical imaging and analysis of nerve cells will be described in this review. Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) allows for non-targeted and targeted molecular imaging of nerve cells and synapses at subcellular resolution. Cellular electrochemistry is well-suited for quantifying the amount of reactive chemicals released from living nerve cells. These techniques will also be discussed regarding multimodal imaging approaches that have recently been shown to be advantageous for the understanding of structural and functional relationships in the nervous system. This review aims to provide an insight into the strengths, limitations, and potentials of these technologies for synaptic and neuronal analyses.</p>","PeriodicalId":12650,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Synaptic Neuroscience","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2022-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9149580/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41564452","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yongda Liu, Shihui Kuai, M. Ding, Zhibin Wang, Limei Zhao, P. Zhao
{"title":"Dexmedetomidine and Ketamine Attenuated Neuropathic Pain Related Behaviors via STING Pathway to Induce ER-Phagy","authors":"Yongda Liu, Shihui Kuai, M. Ding, Zhibin Wang, Limei Zhao, P. Zhao","doi":"10.3389/fnsyn.2022.891803","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fnsyn.2022.891803","url":null,"abstract":"Our previous work indicated that ER-phagy level had altered in spinal nerve ligation (SNL) rats. In this study, we investigated whether dexmedetomidine or ketamine exhibits anti-anxiety or anti-nociceptive effects via modulation of the spinal STING/TBK pathway to alter ER-phagy in SNL rats. We evaluated the analgesic and anti-anxiety effects of ketamine and dexmedetomidine in SNL rats. 2’3’-cGAMP (a STING pathway agonist) was administrated to investigate whether enhanced spinal STING pathway activation could inhibit dexmedetomidine or ketamine treatment effects in SNL rats. Analgesic effects were assessed with the mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and anti-anxiety effects were measured via an open field test (OFT). Protein expression levels were evaluated by immunoblotting. Distribution and cellular localization of Grp78 (ER stress marker) were evaluated by confocal immunofluorescence. SNL induced mechanical hypersensitivity and anxiety in rats; dexmedetomidine and ketamine both provided analgesia and anti-anxiety effects in SNL rats. Furthermore, the STING pathway was involved in the modulation of ER stress and ER-phagy in SNL rats and dexmedetomidine and ketamine alleviated ER stress by inhibiting STING pathway to enhance ER-phagy. Thus, both ketamine and dexmedetomidine provided anti-anxiety and anti-nociceptive effects by alleviating ER stress through the inhibition of the STING/TBK pathway to modulate spinal ER-phagy in SNL rats.","PeriodicalId":12650,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Synaptic Neuroscience","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2022-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48869886","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mario López-Manzaneda, Andrea Fuentes-Moliz, L. Tabares
{"title":"Presynaptic Mitochondria Communicate With Release Sites for Spatio-Temporal Regulation of Exocytosis at the Motor Nerve Terminal","authors":"Mario López-Manzaneda, Andrea Fuentes-Moliz, L. Tabares","doi":"10.3389/fnsyn.2022.858340","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fnsyn.2022.858340","url":null,"abstract":"Presynaptic Ca2+ regulation is critical for accurate neurotransmitter release, vesicle reloading of release sites, and plastic changes in response to electrical activity. One of the main players in the regulation of cytosolic Ca2+ in nerve terminals is mitochondria, which control the size and spread of the Ca2+ wave during sustained electrical activity. However, the role of mitochondria in Ca2+ signaling during high-frequency short bursts of action potentials (APs) is not well known. Here, we studied spatial and temporal relationships between mitochondrial Ca2+ (mCa2+) and exocytosis by live imaging and electrophysiology in adult motor nerve terminals of transgenic mice expressing synaptophysin-pHluorin (SypHy). Our results show that hot spots of exocytosis and mitochondria are organized in subsynaptic functional regions and that mitochondria start to uptake Ca2+ after a few APs. We also show that mitochondria contribute to the regulation of the mode of fusion (synchronous and asynchronous) and the kinetics of release and replenishment of the readily releasable pool (RRP) of vesicles. We propose that mitochondria modulate the timing and reliability of neurotransmission in motor nerve terminals during brief AP trains.","PeriodicalId":12650,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Synaptic Neuroscience","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2022-05-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45027014","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Different Synaptic Plasticity After Physiological and Psychological Stress in the Anterior Insular Cortex in an Observational Fear Mouse Model","authors":"Wenlong Shi, Yuan Fu, Tian-yao Shi, Wenxia Zhou","doi":"10.3389/fnsyn.2022.851015","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fnsyn.2022.851015","url":null,"abstract":"Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be triggered not only in people who have personally experienced traumatic events but also in those who witness them. Physiological and psychological stress can have different effects on neural activity, but little is known about the underlying mechanisms. There is ample evidence that the insular cortex, especially the anterior insular cortex (aIC), is critical to both the sensory and emotional experience of pain. It is therefore worthwhile to explore the effects of direct and indirect stress on the synaptic plasticity of the aIC. Here, we used a mouse model of observational fear to mimic direct suffering (Demonstrator, DM) and witnessing (Observer, OB) of traumatic events. After observational fear training, using a 64-channel recording system, we showed that both DM and OB mice exhibited a decreased ratio of paired-pulse with intervals of 50 ms in the superficial layers of the aIC but not in the deep layers. We found that theta-burst stimulation (TBS)–induced long-term potentiation (LTP) in OB mice was significantly higher than in DM mice, and the recruitment of synaptic responses occurred only in OB mice. Compared with naive mice, OB mice showed stronger recruitment and higher amplitude in the superficial layers of the aIC. We also used low-frequency stimulation (LFS) to induce long-term depression (LTD). OB mice showed greater LTD in both the superficial and deep layers of the aIC than naive mice, but no significant difference was found between OB and DM mice. These results provide insights into the changes in synaptic plasticity in the aIC after physiological and psychological stress, and suggest that different types of stress may have different mechanisms. Furthermore, identification of the possible causes of the differences in stress could help treat stress-related disorders.","PeriodicalId":12650,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Synaptic Neuroscience","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2022-05-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47137046","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Connie A Mackenzie-Gray Scott, Kenneth A Pelkey, Adam P Caccavano, Daniel Abebe, Mandy Lai, Khayla N Black, Nicolette D Brown, Andrew J Trevelyan, Chris J McBain
{"title":"Resilient Hippocampal Gamma Rhythmogenesis and Parvalbumin-Expressing Interneuron Function Before and After Plaque Burden in <i>5xFAD</i> Alzheimer's Disease Model.","authors":"Connie A Mackenzie-Gray Scott, Kenneth A Pelkey, Adam P Caccavano, Daniel Abebe, Mandy Lai, Khayla N Black, Nicolette D Brown, Andrew J Trevelyan, Chris J McBain","doi":"10.3389/fnsyn.2022.857608","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fnsyn.2022.857608","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Recent studies have implicated impaired Parvalbumin Fast-Spiking Interneuron (PVIN) function as a precipitating factor underlying abnormalities in network synchrony, oscillatory rhythms, and cognition associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, a complete developmental investigation of potential gamma deficits, induced by commonly used carbachol or kainate in <i>ex vivo</i> slice preparations, within AD model mice is lacking. We examined gamma oscillations using field recordings in acute hippocampal slices from <i>5xFAD</i> and control mice, through the period of developing pathology, starting at 3 months of age, when there is minimal plaque presence in the hippocampus, through to 12+ months of age, when plaque burden is high. In addition, we examined PVIN participation in gamma rhythms using targeted cell-attached recordings of genetically-reported PVINs, in both wild type and mutant mice. In parallel, a developmental immunohistochemical characterisation probing the PVIN-associated expression of PV and perineuronal nets (PNNs) was compared between control and <i>5xFAD</i> mice. Remarkably, this comprehensive longitudinal evaluation failed to reveal any obvious correlations between PVIN deficits (electrical and molecular), circuit rhythmogenesis (gamma frequency and power), and Aβ deposits/plaque formation. By 6-12 months, <i>5xFAD</i> animals have extensive plaque formation throughout the hippocampus. However, a deficit in gamma oscillatory power was only evident in the oldest <i>5xFAD</i> animals (12+ months), and only when using kainate, and not carbachol, to induce the oscillations. We found no difference in PV firing or phase preference during kainate-induced oscillations in younger or older <i>5xFAD</i> mice compared to control, and a reduction of PV and PNNs only in the oldest <i>5xFAD</i> mice. The lack of a clear relationship between PVIN function, network rhythmicity, and plaque formation in our study highlights an unexpected resilience in PVIN function in the face of extensive plaque pathology associated with this model, calling into question the presumptive link between PVIN pathology and Alzheimer's progression.</p>","PeriodicalId":12650,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Synaptic Neuroscience","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2022-05-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9131009/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48251278","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Thomas M. Sanderson, Liam Ralph, M. Amici, Ai Na Ng, B. Kaang, M. Zhuo, S. Kim, J. Georgiou, G. Collingridge
{"title":"Selective Recruitment of Presynaptic and Postsynaptic Forms of mGluR-LTD","authors":"Thomas M. Sanderson, Liam Ralph, M. Amici, Ai Na Ng, B. Kaang, M. Zhuo, S. Kim, J. Georgiou, G. Collingridge","doi":"10.3389/fnsyn.2022.857675","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fnsyn.2022.857675","url":null,"abstract":"In area CA1 of the hippocampus, long-term depression (LTD) can be induced by activating group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs), with the selective agonist DHPG. There is evidence that mGluR-LTD can be expressed by either a decrease in the probability of neurotransmitter release [P(r)] or by a change in postsynaptic AMPA receptor number. However, what determines the locus of expression is unknown. We investigated the expression mechanisms of mGluR-LTD using either a low (30 μM) or a high (100 μM) concentration of (RS)-DHPG. We found that 30 μM DHPG generated presynaptic LTD that required the co-activation of NMDA receptors, whereas 100 μM DHPG resulted in postsynaptic LTD that was independent of the activation of NMDA receptors. We found that both forms of LTD occur at the same synapses and that these may constitute the population with the lowest basal P(r). Our results reveal an unexpected complexity to mGluR-mediated synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus.","PeriodicalId":12650,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Synaptic Neuroscience","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2022-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41411082","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Editorial: The Emerging Role of Endocannabinoids in Synaptic Plasticity, Reward, and Addiction","authors":"J. G. Edwards, L. Cristino, Dan P Covey","doi":"10.3389/fnsyn.2022.898090","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fnsyn.2022.898090","url":null,"abstract":"Endocannabinoids (eCBs) are lipid-signaling molecules that often work in a retrograde fashion. Themost common eCBs are 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and anandamide, which bind receptors such as cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) and CB2. Endocannabinoid signaling controls synaptic transmission throughout the central nervous system, and is important in modulating activity and behavior in the mesolimbic reward circuit, including the ventral tegmental area (VTA), nucleus accumbens (NAc), and lateral habenula (LHb). In these regions, the eCB system is essential for normal reward learning and for some maladaptive behaviors underlying drug abuse and addiction. Recently identified lipid-signaling eCB-like molecules are also now understood to shape mesolimbic system function and reward-related behaviors. Further elucidating how the eCB system contributes to reward and addiction is especially pertinent given the recent legalization ofmedicinal or recreationalmarijuana throughout the world. Themajor psychoactive component inmarijuana is1-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which binds CB1. Common effects of THC are short-termmemory loss, appetite stimulation, and reward. There is still much to investigate concerning THC use, particularly the impact of adolescent use, with a focus on long-term alterations in eCB system function and behavioral changes. Further research is required to clarify the role of the endogenous eCB system, and the effect of exogenous CB1 or CB2targeting drugs on mesolimbic function, including synaptic plasticity, to support reward behaviors and addiction. This Research Topic focuses on endogenous eCB system function in the mesolimbic circuit with an emphasis on synaptic plasticity, reward behavior, novel eCB-like molecules, and pain.","PeriodicalId":12650,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Synaptic Neuroscience","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2022-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42234825","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Cellular Strategies for Frequency-Dependent Computation of Interaural Time Difference","authors":"Rei Yamada, H. Kuba","doi":"10.3389/fnsyn.2022.891740","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fnsyn.2022.891740","url":null,"abstract":"Binaural coincidence detection is the initial step in encoding interaural time differences (ITDs) for sound-source localization. In birds, neurons in the nucleus laminaris (NL) play a central role in this process. These neurons receive excitatory synaptic inputs on dendrites from both sides of the cochlear nucleus and compare their coincidences at the soma. The NL is tonotopically organized, and individual neurons receive a pattern of synaptic inputs that are specific to their tuning frequency. NL neurons differ in their dendritic morphology along the tonotopic axis; their length increases with lower tuning frequency. In addition, our series of studies have revealed several frequency-dependent refinements in the morphological and biophysical characteristics of NL neurons, such as the amount and subcellular distribution of ion channels and excitatory and inhibitory synapses, which enable the neurons to process the frequency-specific pattern of inputs appropriately and encode ITDs at each frequency band. In this review, we will summarize these refinements of NL neurons and their implications for the ITD coding. We will also discuss the similarities and differences between avian and mammalian coincidence detectors.","PeriodicalId":12650,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Synaptic Neuroscience","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2022-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42075057","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yi Yang, Jinliang Bai, Jianyuan Sun, Ting Ye, Lu Zhang, Fengfeng Wu, Jun Nan, Yan Lan
{"title":"Mechanisms Underlying Mu Opioid Receptor Effects on Parallel Fiber-Purkinje Cell Synaptic Transmission in Mouse Cerebellar Cortex","authors":"Yi Yang, Jinliang Bai, Jianyuan Sun, Ting Ye, Lu Zhang, Fengfeng Wu, Jun Nan, Yan Lan","doi":"10.3389/fnsyn.2022.862704","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fnsyn.2022.862704","url":null,"abstract":"μ-opioid receptors (MOR) are widely expressed in the brain, varying in density in different areas. Activation of MORs underlies analgesia, euphoria, but may lead to tolerance, dependence, and ultimately opioid addiction. The Purkinje cell (PC) is the only efferent neuron in the cerebellar cortex and receives glutamatergic synaptic inputs from the parallel fibers formed by the axons of granule cells. Studies have shown that MORs are expressed during the development of cerebellar cells. However, the distribution of MOR and their effects on PF-PC synaptic transmission remain unclear. To examine these questions, we used whole-cell patch clamp recordings and pharmacological methods to determine the effects and mechanisms of MOR activation on synaptic transmission at PF-PC synapses. The MOR-selective agonist DAMGO significantly reduced the amplitude and area under the curve (AUC) of PF-PC evoked (e) EPSCs, and increased the paired-pulse ratio (PPR).DAMGO-induced inhibitory effects on PF-PC eEPSCs and PPR were abolished by MOR specific blocker CTOP. Further, DAMGO significantly reduced the frequency of PF-PC mEPSCs, but had no obvious effect on their amplitude, suggesting a presynaptic site of action. The DAMGO-induced reduction in the frequency of PF-PC mEPSCs also was blocked by CTOP. A protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor PKI added in the pipette solution did not affect the inhibitory effects on PF-PC mEPSCs induced by DAMGO. Both the PKA inhibitor K5720 and MEK inhibitor U0126 in artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) prevented the inhibitory effects of DAMGO on PF-PC mEPSCs. These findings reveal that MORs are expressed in presynaptic PF axon terminals, where DAMGO can activate presynaptic MORs to inhibit PF-PC synaptic transmission by regulating the release of glutamate. G-protein-dependent cAMP-PKA signaling pathway may be involved in this process.","PeriodicalId":12650,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Synaptic Neuroscience","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2022-04-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47781928","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}