Wingless-type family member 5A (Wnt-5a) stimulates synaptic differentiation and function of glutamatergic synapses.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
; 107(49): 21164-9, 2010 Dec 07.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-21084636
ABSTRACT
Growing evidence indicates that Wingless-type (Wnt) signaling plays an important role in the maturation of the central nervous system. We report here that Wingless-type family member 5A (Wnt-5a) is expressed early in development and stimulates dendrite spine morphogenesis, inducing de novo formation of spines and increasing the size of the preexisting ones in hippocampal neurons. Wnt-5a increased intracellular calcium concentration in dendritic processes and the amplitude of NMDA spontaneous miniature currents. Acute application of Wnt-5a increased the amplitude of field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSP) in hippocampal slices, an effect that was prevented by calcium-channel blockers. The physiological relevance of our findings is supported by studies showing that Wnt scavengers decreased spine density, miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents, and fEPSP amplitude. We conclude that Wnt-5a stimulates different aspects of synaptic differentiation and plasticity in the mammalian central nervous system.
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Sinapses
/
Ácido Glutâmico
/
Proteínas Wnt
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2010
Tipo de documento:
Article