Parallel molecular pathways mediate expression of distinct forms of intermediate-term facilitation at tail sensory-motor synapses in Aplysia

Neuron. 2000 Apr;26(1):219-31. doi: 10.1016/s0896-6273(00)81152-6.

Abstract

Three distinct temporal phases of synaptic facilitation (short-, intermediate-, and long-term) are induced by serotonin (5-HT) at sensory (SN) to motor (MN) synapses in Aplysia. Here, we characterize two mechanistically distinct forms of intermediate-term facilitation (ITF) at tail SN-MN synapses. One form, activity-independent ITF, is produced by five spaced pulses of 5-HT in the absence of SN activity. Its induction requires protein synthesis, and its expression requires persistent activation of PKA but not PKC. The other form, activity-dependent ITF, is produced by a single pulse of 5-HT coincident with SN activation. Its induction does not require protein synthesis, and its expression requires persistent activation of PKC but not PKA. These results demonstrate that SN-MN synapses can exhibit two distinct forms of ITF that are mediated by parallel molecular pathways.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aplysia
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / drug effects
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / drug effects
  • Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / physiology*
  • Free Radical Scavengers / pharmacology
  • Protein Kinase C / drug effects
  • Protein Kinase C / metabolism*
  • Serotonin / pharmacology
  • Synapses / drug effects
  • Synapses / metabolism*
  • Tail / drug effects
  • Tail / physiology

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Free Radical Scavengers
  • Serotonin
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases
  • Protein Kinase C