Article abstract
Nature Neuroscience 11, 160 - 169 (2008)
Published online: 13 January 2008 | doi:10.1038/nn2033
Ephrin-B reverse signaling promotes structural and functional synaptic maturation in vivo
Byung Kook Lim1, Naoto Matsuda1 & Mu-ming Poo1
Abstract
Ephrin-Eph signaling is involved in axon guidance during development, but it may also regulate synapse development after the axon has contacted the target cell. Here we report that the activation of ephrin-B reverse signaling in the developing Xenopus laevis optic tectum promotes morphological and functional maturation of retinotectal synapses. Elevation of ephrin-B signaling increased the number of retinotectal synapses and stabilized the axon arbors of retinal ganglion cells. It also enhanced basal synaptic transmission and activity-induced long-term potentiation (LTP) of retinotectal synapses. The functional effects were caused by a rapid enhancement of presynaptic glutamate release and a delayed increase in the postsynaptic glutamate responsiveness. The facilitated LTP induction occurred during the early phase of enhanced transmitter release and appeared to be causally related to the late-phase postsynaptic maturation via an NMDA receptor–dependent mechanism. This ephrin-B–dependent synapse maturation supports the notion that the ephrin/Eph protein families have multiple functions in neural development.
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720–3200, USA.
Correspondence to: Mu-ming Poo1 e-mail: mpoo@uclink.berkeley.edu
MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS
These links to content published by NPG are automatically generated.
NEWS AND VIEWS
Ephrins keep dendritic spines in shapeNature Neuroscience News and Views (01 Feb 2003)
CPG15 and the dynamics of retinotectal synapsesNature Neuroscience News and Views (01 Oct 2000)
RESEARCH
Visual input induces long-term potentiation of developing retinotectal synapsesNature Neuroscience Article (01 Jul 2000)
Postsynaptic CPG15 promotes synaptic maturation and presynaptic axon arbor elaboration in vivoNature Neuroscience Article (01 Oct 2000)
See all 61 matches for Research
