RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Stabilization of Axon Branch Dynamics by Synaptic Maturation JF The Journal of Neuroscience JO J. Neurosci. FD Society for Neuroscience SP 3594 OP 3603 DO 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0069-06.2006 VO 26 IS 13 A1 Edward S. Ruthazer A1 Jianli Li A1 Hollis T. Cline YR 2006 UL http://www.jneurosci.org/content/26/13/3594.abstract AB The developmental refinement of topographic projections in the brain is reflected in the dynamic sculpting of axonal arbors that takes place as connections between CNS structures form and mature. To examine the role of synaptogenesis and synaptic maturation in the structural development of axonal projections during the formation of the topographic retinotectal projection, we coexpressed cytosolic fluorescent protein (FP) and FP-tagged synaptophysin (SYP) in small numbers of retinal ganglion cells in living albino Xenopus laevis tadpoles to reveal the distribution and dynamics of presynaptic sites within labeled retinotectal axons. Two-photon time-lapse observations followed by quantitative analysis of tagged SYP levels at individual synapses demonstrated the time course of synaptogenesis: increases in presynaptic punctum intensity are detectable within minutes of punctum emergence and continue over many hours. Puncta lifetimes correlate with their intensities. Furthermore, we found that axon arbor dynamics are affected by synaptic contacts. Axon branches retract past faintly labeled puncta but are locally stabilized at intensely labeled SYP puncta. Visual stimulation for 4 h enhanced the stability of the arbor at intense presynaptic puncta while concurrently inducing the retraction of exploratory branches with only faintly labeled or no synaptic sites.