title: Rapid synapse elimination after postsynaptic protein synthesis inhibition in vivo.
abstract: To examine the role of retrograde signals on synaptic maintenance, we inhibited protein synthesis in individual postsynaptic cells in vivo while monitoring presynaptic terminals. Within 12 h, axon terminals begin to atrophy and withdraw from normal postsynaptic sites. Structural similarities between this process and naturally occurring synapse elimination suggest that short-lived target derived factors not only participate in synaptic maintenance in adults, but also regulate elimination of connections during development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA.
authors.forename: Corey M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: McCann
authors.forename: Quyen T
authors.initials: QT
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.forename: Humberto
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Santo Neto
authors.forename: Jeff W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Lichtman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011500:Protein Synthesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013569:Synapses / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D013570:Synaptic Membranes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011500:Protein Synthesis Inhibitors; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic