Abstract
The structure and function of presynaptic and postsynaptic components of the synapse are highly coordinated. How such coordination is achieved and the molecules involved in this process have not been clarified. Several lines of evidence suggest that presynaptic functionalities are regulated by retrograde mechanisms from the postsynaptic side. We therefore sought postsynaptic mechanisms responsible for trans-synaptic regulation of presynaptic function at excitatory synapses in rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. We show here that the postsynaptic complex of scaffolding protein PSD-95 and neuroligin can modulate the release probability of transmitter vesicles at synapse in a retrograde way, resulting in altered presynaptic short-term plasticity. Presynaptic beta-neurexin serves as a likely presynaptic mediator of this effect. Our results indicate that trans-synaptic protein-protein interactions can link postsynaptic and presynaptic function.
Publication types
-
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
-
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
-
Animals
-
Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal
-
Disks Large Homolog 4 Protein
-
Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / physiology
-
Hippocampus / cytology
-
Hippocampus / metabolism*
-
Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism*
-
Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
-
Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
-
Neuronal Plasticity / physiology
-
Neurotransmitter Agents / metabolism
-
Organ Culture Techniques
-
Presynaptic Terminals / metabolism*
-
Presynaptic Terminals / ultrastructure
-
Probability
-
Protein Transport / physiology
-
Pyramidal Cells / metabolism
-
Pyramidal Cells / ultrastructure
-
Rats
-
Signal Transduction / physiology
-
Synaptic Membranes / metabolism*
-
Synaptic Membranes / ultrastructure
-
Synaptic Transmission / physiology
-
Synaptic Vesicles / metabolism*
-
Synaptic Vesicles / ultrastructure
Substances
-
Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal
-
Disks Large Homolog 4 Protein
-
Dlg4 protein, rat
-
Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
-
Membrane Proteins
-
Nerve Tissue Proteins
-
Neurotransmitter Agents
-
neuroligin 1
-
neurexin Ibeta