QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

HOME  |   SEARCH  |   ARCHIVE  |   SUBSCRIBE  |   CONTACT  |   HELP

This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit an eLetter Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Haydon, P. G. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Haydon, P. G. Pubmed/NCBI databases Compound via MeSH Substance via MeSH Hazardous Substances DB CALCIUM COMPOUNDS CALCIUM, ELEMENTAL

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

Journal of Neuroscience, Vol 8, 1032-1038, Copyright © 1988 by Society for Neuroscience

ARTICLE

The formation of chemical synapses between cell-cultured neuronal somata

PG Haydon
Department of Zoology, Iowa State University, Ames 50011.

The study of the development and plasticity of chemical synaptic connections is frequently restricted by the lack of access to the synaptic terminals. This can, in part, be overcome by plating neurons into cell culture where all regions of a neuron are made experimentally accessible. However, the small size of synaptic terminals still makes direct experimental manipulation difficult. In this study we have found in the absence of neurite extension, directly contacting cell somata (diameter 50-100 mumol) will form chemical synapses. Identified neurons B5 and B19 of Helisoma were plated into culture under conditions that promote adhesion between cell pairs. Under these conditions, neurite outgrowth was absent, but action potentials in B5 evoked inhibitory postsynaptic potentials in B19 that were reversed in sign by the injection of chloride ions and were blocked by tubocurare (10(-5) M), reduced extracellular Ca2+, and Cd2+ ions. Such synapses exhibited classical properties of chemical synapses, including the spontaneous release of neurotransmitter. Since somatic synapses represent an appropriate model of synaptic transmission, this system was utilized to study the role of mutual neuronal contact in the development of transmitter release capabilities. Future pre- and postsynaptic somata were cultured separately for 3 d, the period required for the development of synaptic transmission under conditions of maintained contact. Then, neurons were made to contact and intracellular recordings taken within 0 to 4 hours. Postsynaptic potentials were detected as early as 10 sec following contact. Thus, qualitatively the development of transmitter release capabilities does not require maintained contact.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

This article has been cited by other articles:

				F. Fiumara, S. Giovedi, A. Menegon, C. Milanese, D. Merlo, P. G. Montarolo, F. Valtorta, F. Benfenati, and M. Ghirardi Phosphorylation by cAMP-dependent protein kinase is essential for synapsin-induced enhancement of neurotransmitter release in invertebrate neurons J. Cell Sci., October 1, 2004; 117(21): 5145 - 5154. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. M. Szabo, D. S. Faber, and M. J. Zoran Transient Electrical Coupling Delays the Onset of Chemical Neurotransmission at Developing Synapses J. Neurosci., January 7, 2004; 24(1): 112 - 120. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. Hamakawa, Z.-P. Feng, N. Grigoriv, T. Inoue, M. Takasaki, S. Roth, K. Lukowiak, S. U. Hasan, and N. I. Syed Sevoflurane Induced Suppression of Inhibitory Synaptic Transmission Between Soma-Soma Paired Lymnaea Neurons J Neurophysiol, November 1, 1999; 82(5): 2812 - 2819. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. L. Atwood and J. M. Wojtowicz Silent Synapses in Neural Plasticity: Current Evidence Learn. Mem., November 1, 1999; 6(6): 542 - 571. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				M. A. Woodin, T. Hamakawa, M. Takasaki, K. Lukowiak, and N. I. Syed Trophic Factor-Induced Plasticity of Synaptic Connections Between Identified Lymnaea Neurons Learn. Mem., May 1, 1999; 6(3): 307 - 316. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				N. S. Magoski and A. G. M. Bulloch Trophic and Contact Conditions Modulate Synapse Formation Between Identified Neurons J Neurophysiol, June 1, 1998; 79(6): 3279 - 3283. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Z.-P. Feng, J. Klumperman, K. Lukowiak, and N. I. Syed In Vitro Synaptogenesis between the Somata of Identified Lymnaea Neurons Requires Protein Synthesis But Not Extrinsic Growth Factors or Substrate Adhesion Molecules J. Neurosci., October 15, 1997; 17(20): 7839 - 7849. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. L. Coulson and M. Klein Rapid Development of Synaptic Connections and Plasticity Between Sensory Neurons and Motor Neurons of Aplysia in Cell Culture: Implications for Learning and Regulation of Synaptic Strength J Neurophysiol, May 1, 1997; 77(5): 2316 - 2327. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. D. Whim, H. Niemann, and L. K. Kaczmarek The Secretion of Classical and Peptide Cotransmitters from a Single Presynaptic Neuron Involves a Synaptobrevin-Like Molecule J. Neurosci., April 1, 1997; 17(7): 2338 - 2347. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home  |   Search  |   Archive  |   Subscribe  |   Contact  |   Help