Synapse-specific plasticity in command neurons during learning of edible snails under the action of caspase inhibitors.
The effect of caspase inhibitors on long-term synaptic facilitation induced by nociceptive sensitization (a simple form of learning) was studied on the defensive behavior command neurons (left pleural neuron-1) in edible snail. Acquisition of sensitization under conditions of threatment with caspase-3 or caspase-8 inhibitors selectively inhibits synaptic transmission in the responses of the left pleural neuron-1 to tactile stimulation of the snail head, but not in responses to chemical stimulation of the head or tactile stimulation of the foot. Application of a wide-spectrum caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk to neurons of sensitized snails suppressed facilitation of responses evoked by chemical stimulation of the head. Probably, various caspases could be selectively involved into induction of long-term synapse-specific plasticity during learning.
P. K. Anokhin Institute of Normal Physiology, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Moscow.
S A
SA
Kozyrev
V P
VP
Nikitin
V V
VV
Sherstnev
D000590:Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D061945:Caspase Inhibitors; D006372:Helix, Snails; D007858:Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013569:Synapses; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects
D000590:Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones; D061945:Caspase Inhibitors; D009842:Oligopeptides; C099158:acetyl-aspartyl-glutamyl-valyl-aspartal; C403753:benzyloxycarbonyl-isoleucyl-glutamyl-threonyl-aspartic acid fluoromethyl ketone; C096713:benzyloxycarbonylvalyl-alanyl-aspartyl fluoromethyl ketone