Similar synapse elimination motifs at successive relays in the same efferent pathway during development in mice.
In many parts of the nervous system, signals pass across multiple synaptic relays on their way to a destination, but little is known about how these relays form and the function they serve. To get some insight into this question we ask how the connectivity patterns are organized at two successive synaptic relays in a simple, cholinergic efferent pathway. We found that the organization at successive relays in the parasympathetic nervous system strongly resemble each other despite the different embryological origin and physiological properties of the pre- and postsynaptic cells. Additionally, we found a similar developmental synaptic pruning and elaboration strategy is used at both sites to generate their adult organizations. The striking parallels in adult innervation and developmental mechanisms at the relays argue that a general strategy is in operation. We discuss why from a functional standpoint this structural organization may amplify central signals while at the same time maintaining positional targeting.
Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States.|Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States.
Shu-Hsien
0000-0003-0758-4654
SH
Sheu
Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States.|Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States.
Juan Carlos
JC
Tapia
Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States.|Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States.
Shlomo
S
Tsuriel
Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States.|Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States.
Jeff W
0000-0002-0208-3212
JW
Lichtman
D061354:Acinar Cells / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D004525:Efferent Pathways / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate; D015870:Gene Expression; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D061848:Optical Imaging; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013569:Synapses / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018800:Thy-1 Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D015415:Biomarkers; D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D018800:Thy-1 Antigens; C054562:yellow fluorescent protein, Bacteria; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate
mouse; neuroscience; parasympathetic nerves; peripheral ganglia; synapse elimination; synaptic competition