Input-dependent regulation of excitability controls dendritic maturation in somatosensory thalamocortical neurons.

ABSTRACT: Input from the sensory organs is required to pattern neurons into topographical maps during development. Dendritic complexity critically determines this patterning process; yet, how signals from the periphery act to control dendritic maturation is unclear. Here, using genetic and surgical manipulations of sensory input in mouse somatosensory thalamocortical neurons, we show that membrane excitability is a critical component of dendritic development. Using a combination of genetic approaches, we find that ablation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors during postnatal development leads to epigenetic repression of Kv1.1-type potassium channels, increased excitability, and impaired dendritic maturation. Lesions to whisker input pathways had similar effects. Overexpression of Kv1.1 was suff

SUBMITTER: Frangeul L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5722950 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature