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Laser microscopy acquisition and analysis of premotor synapses in the murine spinal cord.

ABSTRACT: Loss of synapses on spinal motor neurons is a major feature of several neurodegenerative diseases; however, analyzing these premotor synapses is challenging because of their small size and high density. This protocol describes confocal and Stimulated Emission Depletion (STED) imaging of murine spinal premotor synapses and their segment-specific quantification by confocal microscopy. We detail the preparation of spinal cord segments, followed by image acquisition and analysis. This protocol enables in-depth analysis of pathological changes in spinal premotor synapses during neurodegeneration. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Buettner et al. (2021).

SUBMITTER: Buettner JM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8920933 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Laser microscopy acquisition and analysis of premotor synapses in the murine spinal cord.

Buettner Jannik M JM Kirmann Toni T Mentis George Z GZ Hallermann Stefan S Simon Christian M CM

STAR protocols 20220311 1

Loss of synapses on spinal motor neurons is a major feature of several neurodegenerative diseases; however, analyzing these premotor synapses is challenging because of their small size and high density. This protocol describes confocal and Stimulated Emission Depletion (STED) imaging of murine spinal premotor synapses and their segment-specific quantification by confocal microscopy. We detail the preparation of spinal cord segments, followed by image acquisition and analysis. This protocol enabl ...[more]

PMID: 35300003

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Project description:Summary: We build a model for the molecular and cellular events underlying phenotypic discordance in glycine receptor defects (beta subunit). Some mice progress and die, while their littermates recover and get better, despite the same mutation on an inbred genetic background. We find evidence for glycine neurotransmitter toxicity and loss of glycinergic interneurons early in the disease, but some mice are able to keep things going until they can over-express homomeric alpha1 channels, whereupon they recover. In the mice progressing towards lethality, neurotransmitter toxicity too quickly extends to GABAergic interneurons and motorneurons, and they lose their window of time to upregulate the alpha1 glycine receptor, and they crash and burn. Importantly, human patients with glycine receptor defects typically show a resolution of their phenotype with age, and we propose that the same remodeling events are occuring in human patients. Hypothesis: Our data suggests that functional recovery of GlyRb mutant mice is likely due to expression of homomeric glycine receptors, rescue from excitotoxicity, and subsequent neuronal remodeling. We propose that human patients with hyperekplexia (mutations of glycine receptors) show remodeling similar to that of the recovering spastic mice, as human patients also show a lessening of symptoms as a function of age. Specific Aim: Murine models for human Startle Disease show clinical variability between littermates. Here, we determined the molecular remodeling of spastic GlyRb mutant spinal cord through the course of the disease, and develop a model for clinical disparity between littermates. At young ages, all animals were spastic, showed loss of glycine receptors, increased expression of vesicular glycine/GABA transporter and NMDA receptors, induction of activated caspase3, and preferential loss of glycinergic interneurons consistent with neurotransmitter toxicity model. Those littermates that recovered from symptoms showed strong over-expression of the GlyRa1 subunit, and increased myelination and synaptic plasticity. Littermates that showed a deteriorating clinical course failed to over-express GlyRa1, and also showed relative loss of gephyrin. These molecular changes were associated with preferential loss of GABAergic interneurons, and extensive motorneuron loss. Keywords: other

Dataset Information

Laser microscopy acquisition and analysis of premotor synapses in the murine spinal cord.

Publications

Laser microscopy acquisition and analysis of premotor synapses in the murine spinal cord.

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