Long-term potentiation of Aplysia sensorimotor synapses in cell culture: regulation by postsynaptic voltage

Proc Biol Sci. 1994 Feb 22;255(1343):113-8. doi: 10.1098/rspb.1994.0016.

Abstract

Long-term potentiation (LTP) has been proposed as a cellular mechanism for associative learning in vertebrates. Induction of one type of LTP--observed at synapses in the CA1 region of the mammalian hippocampus--is regulated by the voltage of the postsynaptic cell. To date, a similar form of LTP has not been demonstrated for any invertebrate synapse. We now report that high-frequency stimulation can induce LTP of sensorimotor synapses of the marine mollusc Aplysia in cell culture. Moreover, induction of this form of LTP appears to involve a voltage-dependent postsynaptic mechanism because pairing tetanic stimulation of the presynaptic cell with strong hyperpolarization of the postsynaptic cell blocks the induction of LTP.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aplysia
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Evoked Potentials / physiology
  • Ganglia, Invertebrate / physiology
  • Invertebrates
  • Long-Term Potentiation*
  • Mammals
  • Motor Neurons / cytology
  • Motor Neurons / physiology*
  • Neurons, Afferent / cytology
  • Neurons, Afferent / physiology*
  • Synapses / physiology*
  • Synapses / ultrastructure
  • Synaptic Transmission / physiology