Glia-to-glia serotonin signaling directs MMP-dependent infiltration for experience-dependent synapse pruning.

ABSTRACT: Synapse connectivity is optimized in response to environmental input in critical periods, characterized by experience-dependent, temporally-restricted, and transiently-reversible synapse pruning by glial phagocytes. This precise, targeted synaptic elimination process requires glial serotonergic intercellular signaling. We discover glia-to-glia communication between different glial classes is essential for experience-dependent synaptic pruning in a well-defined Drosophila juvenile brain olfactory critical period. We find ensheathing glia infiltrate specific target synaptic glomeruli in response to guiding odorant experience via 5-HT2A receptor (5-HT2AR) signaling. Using cell-targeted tryptophan hydroxylase (Trhn) RNAi to block serotonin production, we discover serotonin signaling from enshe

SUBMITTER: Miller VK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12668486 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature