An Optical Neuron-Astrocyte Proximity Assay at Synaptic Distance Scales.

ABSTRACT: Astrocytes are complex bushy cells that serve important functions through close contacts between their processes and synapses. However, the spatial interactions and dynamics of astrocyte processes relative to synapses have proven problematic to study in adult living brain tissue. Here, we report a genetically targeted neuron-astrocyte proximity assay (NAPA) to measure astrocyte-synapse spatial interactions within intact brain preparations and at synaptic distance scales. The method exploits resonance energy transfer between extracellularly displayed fluorescent proteins targeted to synapses and astrocyte processes. We validated the method in the striatal microcircuitry following in vivo expression. We determined the proximity of striatal astrocyte processes to distinct neuronal input pathw

SUBMITTER: Octeau JC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5916847 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature