Synapsin knockdown is associated with decreased neurite outgrowth, functional synaptogenesis impairment, and fast high-frequency neurotransmitter release.
J Neurosci Res
; 93(10): 1492-506, 2015 Oct.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-26213348
ABSTRACT
Synapsins (Syns) are an evolutionarily conserved family of synaptic vesicle-associated proteins related to fine tuning of synaptic transmission. Studies with mammals have partially clarified the different roles of Syns; however, the presence of different genes and isoforms and the development of compensatory mechanisms hinder accurate data interpretation. Here, we use a simple in vitro monosynaptic Helix neuron connection, reproducing an in vivo physiological connection as a reliable experimental model to investigate the effects of Syn knockdown. Cells overexpressing an antisense construct against Helix Syn showed a time-dependent decrease of Syn immunostaining, confirming protein loss. At the morphological level, Syn-silenced cells showed a reduction in neurite linear outgrowth and branching and in the size and number of synaptic varicosities. Functionally, Syn-silenced cells presented a reduced ability to form synaptic connections; however, functional chemical synapses showed similar basal excitatory postsynaptic potentials and similar short-term plasticity paradigms. In addition, Syn-silenced cells presented faster neurotransmitter release and decreased postsynaptic response toward the end of long tetanic presynaptic stimulations, probably related to an impairment of the synaptic vesicle trafficking resulting from a different vesicle handling, with an increased readily releasable pool and a compromised reserve pool.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Synapses
/
Synapsins
/
Neurites
/
Neurotransmitter Agents
/
Neurogenesis
/
Neurons
Type of study:
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Animals
Language:
En
Journal:
J Neurosci Res
Year:
2015
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Italy