Functional implications of neurotransmitter expression during axonal regeneration: serotonin, but not peptides, auto-regulate axon growth of an identified central neuron.

ABSTRACT: We studied the regenerative properties of one of two electrically coupled molluscan neurons, the serotonergic cerebral giant cells (CGCs) of Lymnaea stagnalis, after axotomy. The CGCs play a crucial role in feeding behavior, and when both cells are disconnected from their target neurons, animals no longer feed. When one CGC was permanently disconnected from its targets and the other was reversibly damaged by a nerve crush, the latter one regenerated over a period of 2 weeks to reform functional synapses with specific target neurons. At the same time, recovery of the feeding behavior was observed. After the crush, neuropeptide gene expression in the CGC was downregulated to approximately 50%. Serotonin synthesis, on the other hand, remained unaffected, suggesting that serotonin might have a

SUBMITTER: Koert CE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6762665 | biostudies-literature | 2001 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature