Experience-dependent structural plasticity targets dynamic filopodia in regulating dendrite maturation and synaptogenesis.

ABSTRACT: Highly motile dendritic protrusions are hallmarks of developing neurons. These exploratory filopodia sample the environment and initiate contacts with potential synaptic partners. To understand the role for dynamic filopodia in dendrite morphogenesis and experience-dependent structural plasticity, we analyzed dendrite dynamics, synapse formation, and dendrite volume expansion in developing ventral lateral neurons (LNvs) of the Drosophila larval visual circuit. Our findings reveal the temporal coordination between heightened dendrite dynamics with synaptogenesis in LNvs and illustrate the strong influence imposed by sensory experience on the prevalence of dendritic filopodia, which regulate the formation of synapses and the expansion of dendritic arbors. Using genetic analyses, we further i

SUBMITTER: Sheng C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6105721 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature