Serotonin-mediated synapsin expression is necessary for long-term facilitation of the Aplysia sensorimotor synapse.

ABSTRACT: Serotonin (5-HT)-induced long-term facilitation (LTF) of the Aplysia sensorimotor synapse depends on enhanced gene expression and protein synthesis, but identification of the genes whose expression and regulation are necessary for LTF remains incomplete. In this study, we found that one such gene is synapsin, which encodes a synaptic vesicle-associated protein known to regulate short-term synaptic plasticity. Both synapsin mRNA and protein levels were increased by 5-HT. Upregulation of synapsin protein occurred in presynaptic sensory neurons at neurotransmitter release sites. To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying synapsin regulation, we cloned the promoter region of Aplysia synapsin, and found that the synapsin promoter contained a cAMP response element (CRE), raising the poss

SUBMITTER: Hart AK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3407595 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature