Project description:Injury of descending motor tracts remodels cortical circuitry and leads to enhanced neuronal excitability, thus influencing recovery following injury. The neuron-specific contributions remain unclear due to the complex cellular composition and connectivity of the CNS. We developed a microfluidics-based in vitro model system to examine intrinsic synaptic remodeling following axon damage. We found that distal axotomy of cultured rat pyramidal neurons caused dendritic spine loss at synapses onto the injured neurons followed by a persistent retrograde enhancement in presynaptic excitability over days. These in vitro results mirrored hyper-activity of directly injured corticospinal neurons in hindlimb motor cortex layer Vb following spinal cord contusion. In vitro axotomy-induced hyper-excitability coincided with elimination of inhibitory presynaptic terminals, including those formed onto dendritic spines. We identified netrin-1 as downregulated following axotomy and exogenous netrin-1 applied 2 days after injury normalized spine density, presynaptic excitability, and the fraction of inhibitory inputs onto injured neurons. These findings demonstrate a novel model system for studying the response of pyramidal circuitry to axotomy and provide new insights of neuron-specific mechanisms that contribute to synaptic remodeling.
Project description:Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly prescribed antidepressant drugs in pregnant women. Given that SSRIs can cross the placental and blood-brain barriers, these drugs potentially affect serotonergic neurotransmission and neurodevelopment in the fetus. Although no gross SSRI-related teratogenic effect has been reported, infants born following prenatal exposure to SSRIs have a higher risk for various behavioral abnormalities. Therefore, we examined the effects of prenatal fluoxetine, the most commonly prescribed SSRI, on social and cognitive behavior in mice. Intriguingly, chronic in utero fluoxetine treatment impaired working memory and social novelty recognition in adult males with augmented spontaneous inhibitory synaptic transmission onto the layer 5 pyramidal neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Moreover, fast-spiking interneurons in the layer 5 mPFC exhibited enhanced basal intrinsic excitability, augmented serotonin-induced neuronal excitability, and increased inhibitory synaptic transmission onto the layer 5 pyramidal neurons due to augmented 5-HT2A receptor (5-HT2AR) signaling. More importantly, the observed behavioral deficits of in utero fluoxetine-treated mice could be reversed by acute systemic application of 5-HT2AR antagonist. Taken together, our findings support the notion that alterations in serotonin-mediated inhibitory neuronal modulation result in reduced cortical network activities and cognitive impairment following prenatal exposure to SSRIs.
Project description:Presynaptic efficacy can be modulated by retrograde control mechanisms, but the nature of these complex signaling systems remain obscure. Some studies have suggested that retrograde synaptic communication requires new protein synthesis in the postsynaptic compartment, yet the putative translational targets that mediate this signaling are enigmatic. To gain insight into the retrograde mechanisms that stabilize synaptic transmission at the neuromuscular junction, we have developed and optimized a tissue-specific ribosome profiling approach in Drosophila. We first demonstrate the ability of this technology to define genome-wide translational regulations that could not be inferred from transcription, and validate the superior sensitivity of ribosome profiling over conventional translational profiling. We then leverage this technology to test the relative contributions of transcriptional, translational, and post-translational mechanisms in the postsynaptic muscle that orchestrate the retrograde control of presynaptic function. Surprisingly, we find no changes in transcription or translation are necessary to enable retrograde homeostatic signaling. Rather, post-translational mechanisms appear to ultimately gate instructive retrograde communication. Finally, we find that a global increase in translation induces adaptive responses in both transcription and translation of protein chaperones and degradation factors to promote cellular proteostasis. Together, this demonstrates the power of ribosome profiling to define transcriptional, translational, and post-translational mechanisms driving retrograde signaling during adaptive plasticity.
Project description:The mouse visual system serves as an accessible model to understand mammalian circuit wiring. Despite rich knowledge in retinal circuits, the long-range connectivity map from distinct retinal ganglion cell (RGC) types to diverse brain neuron types remains unknown. Here we developed an integrated approach, named Trans-Seq, to map RGC to superior collicular (SC) circuits. Trans-Seq combines a fluorescent anterograde transsynaptic tracer, consisting of codon-optimized wheat germ agglutinin fused to mCherry, with single-cell RNA Sequencing. We used Trans-Seq to classify SC neuron types innervated by genetically-defined RGC types and predicted a neuronal pair from αRGCs to Nephronectin-positive wide-field neurons (NPWFs). We validated this connection using genetic labeling, electrophysiology, and retrograde tracing. We then utilized transcriptomic data from Trans-Seq to identify Nephronectin as a determinant for selective synaptic choice from αRGC to NPWFs via binding to Integrin-α8β1. The Trans-Seq approach can be broadly applied for postsynaptic circuit discovery from genetically-defined presynaptic neurons.
Project description:Synapses are fundamental organizers of precise signal propagation between neurons. Maintaining synapse assemblies require interactions between pre- and post- synaptic proteins, notably cell adhesion molecules (CAMs). It has been proposed that the function of Neuroligins (Nlgn1 - 4), postsynaptic CAMs, relies on the formation of trans-synaptic complexes with Neurexins (Nrxs), presynaptic CAMs. Nlgn3 is a unique Nlgn isoform that localizes at both excitatory and inhibitory synapses. However, Nlgn3 function mediated through Nrx interaction is mostly unknown. Here, we find for the first time that Nlgn3 localizes at postsynaptic sites apposing vesicular glutamate transporter 3 (VGT3)-expressing inhibitory terminals. Overexpression and knockdown approaches indicate that Nlgn3 regulates VGT3-positive inhibitory interneuron-mediated synaptic transmission. Fluorescent in situ hybridization and single-cell RNA sequencing studies revealed that αNrxn1 and βNrxn3 are VGT3 interneuron-specific Nrxn isoforms and the expression levels of Nrxn splice isoforms are highly diverse in VGT3 interneurons, respectively. Most importantly, postsynaptic Nlgn3 requires presynaptic αNrx1+AS4 expressed in VGT3-positive interneurons to regulate inhibitory synaptic transmission. Our results strongly suggest that specific Nlgn-Nrx interaction generate distinct functional properties at synapses.
Project description:Calyx of Held giant presynaptic terminals in the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body of the auditory brainstem form axosomatic synapses that have advanced to one of the best-studied synaptic system of the mammalian brain. As the auditory system matures and adjusts to high fidelity synaptic transmission, the calyx undergoes extensive structural and functional changes: it is formed around postnatal day 3 (P3), achieves immature function until hearing onset around P10 and can be considered mature from P21 onwards. This setting provides the unique opportunity to examine the repertoire of genes driving synaptic structure and function. We performed cell type-specific gene expression profiling of globular bushy cells (GBCs), the neurons giving rise to the calyx of Held, at different maturational stages (P3, P8 and P21). We identified GBCs by stereotaxic injection of fluorescently labelled retrograde tracer Cholera toxin B into the contralateral MNTB of anesthetized rats. Animals were sacrificed 24h after injection, the brain was taken out and flash frozen. 12um thick brainstem cryosections were prepared and 200 fluorescently labelled GBCs per animal were excised from the VCN using laser microdissection. Cells were collected from 6 animals at P3 (synapse formation), 9 animals at P8 (juvenile synapse) and 5 animals at P21 (mature synapse). RNA was isolated from the collected cells and linearly amplified in order to perform cell-type specific expression profiling.
Project description:Newborn neurons enter an extended maturation stage, during which they acquire excitability characteristics crucial for development of presynaptic and postsynaptic connectivity. In contrast to earlier specification programs, little is known aboutthe regulatory mechanisms that control neuronal maturation. The Pet-1 ETS (E26 transformation-specific) factor is continuously expressed in serotonin (5-HT) neurons and initially acts in postmitotic precursors to control acquisition of 5-HT transmitter identity. Using a combination of RNA sequencing, electrophysiology, and conditional targeting approaches, we determined gene expression patterns in maturing flow-sorted 5-HT neurons and the temporal requirements for Pet-1 in shaping these patterns for functional maturation of mouse 5-HT neurons. We report a profound disruption of postmitotic expression trajectories in Pet-1 / neurons, which prevented postnatal maturation of 5-HT neuron passive and active intrinsic membrane properties, G-protein signaling, and synaptic responses to glutamatergic, lysophosphatidic, and adrenergic agonists. Unexpectedly, conditional targeting revealed a postnatal stage-specific switch in Pet-1 targets from 5-HT synthesis genes to transmitter receptor genes required for afferent modulation of 5-HT neuron excitability. 5-HT1a autoreceptor expression depended transiently on Pet-1, thus revealing an early postnatal sensitive period for control of 5-HT excitability genes. Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing revealed that Pet-1 regulates 5-HT neuron maturation through direct gene activation and repression. Moreover, Pet-1 directly regulates the 5-HT neuron maturation factor Engrailed 1, which suggests Pet-1 orchestrates maturationthrough secondary postmitotic regulatoryfactors. The early postnatal switch in Pet-1targets uncovers a distinct neonatal stage-specific function for Pet-1, during which it promotes maturation of 5-HT neuron excitability. 5-HT neuron mRNA profiles of E11.5, E15.5, and postnatal (P1-P3) wild type (WT) and Pet-1-/- mice were generated by deep sequencing, in triplicate, using Illumina HiSeq 2500. Myc-tagged Pet-1 ChIP-seq was performed on E12.5 to E14.5 hindbrains and sequencing using NextSeq 500.
Project description:Synaptic scaling is a form of homeostatic plasticity which allows neurons to adjust their action potential firing rate in response to chronic alterations in neural activity. Synaptic scaling requires profound changes in gene expression, but the relative contribution of local and cell-wide mechanisms is controversial. Here we performed a comprehensive multi-omics characterization of the somatic and process compartments of primary rat hippocampal neurons during synaptic scaling. Thereby, we uncovered highly compartment-specific and correlated changes in the neuronal transcriptome and proteome. Specifically, we identified highly compartment-specific downregulation of crucial regulators of neuronal excitability and excitatory synapse structure. Motif analysis further suggests an important role for trans-acting post-transcriptional regulators, including RNA-binding proteins and microRNAs, in the local regulation of the corresponding mRNAs. Altogether, our study indicates that compartmentalized gene expression changes are widespread in synaptic scaling and might co-exist with neuron-wide mechanisms to allow synaptic computation and homeostasis
Project description:Changes in microRNA (miRNA) expression in the mouse L4 and L5 dorsal root ganglion following unilateral sciatic nerve transection. The timepoint of 7 days post-axotomy was chosen to capture miRNA expression profiles at a time when the injured neurons were beginning to regenerate.
Project description:Synaptic scaling is a form of homeostatic plasticity which allows neurons to reduce their action potential firing rate in response to chronic alterations in neural activity. Synaptic scaling requires profound changes in gene expression, but the relative contribution of local and cell-wide mechanisms to synaptic scaling is controversial. Here we performed a comprehensive multi-omics characterization of the somatic and process compartments of primary rat hippocampal neurons during synaptic scaling. Thereby, we uncovered highly compartment-specific and correlated changes in the neuronal transcriptome and proteome. Specifically, we identified highly compartment-specific downregulation of crucial regulators of neuronal excitability and excitatory synapse structure. Motif analysis further suggests an important role for trans-acting post-transcriptional regulators, including RNA-binding proteins and microRNAs, in the local regulation of the corresponding mRNAs. Altogether, our study indicates that compartmentalized gene expression changes are widespread in synaptic scaling and might co-exist with neuron-wide mechanism to allow synaptic computation and homeostasis.