title: Single-cell characterization of retrograde signaling by brain-derived neurotrophic factor.
abstract: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a key regulator of hippocampal synaptic plasticity in the developing and adult nervous system. It can be released from pyramidal neuron dendrites in an activity-dependent manner and has therefore been suggested to serve as a signal that provides the retrograde intercellular communication necessary for Hebbian plasticity and hippocampal-dependent learning. Although much has been learned about BDNF function by field stimulation of hippocampal neurons, it is not known whether moderate action potential-independent depolarization of single cells is capable of releasing sufficient BDNF to influence transmission at individual synapses. In this study, we show directly at the single-cell level that such modulation can occur. By using K-252a, anti-BDNF antibody, and interruption of regulated release, we confirm a model in which postsynaptic depolarization elicits calcium-dependent release of BDNF that diffuses retrogradely and enhances presynaptic transmitter release.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA.
authors.forename: Jason P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Magby
authors.forename: Caixia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bi
authors.forename: Zhe-Yu
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Francis S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Mark R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Plummer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001370:Axonal Transport / Q000502:physiology*; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D008959:Models, Neurological; D011247:Pregnancy; D017729:Presynaptic Terminals / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor