Laminin-A Regulates Synaptic Plasticity at Drosophila Neuromuscular Junctions
Date Issued
2015
Date
2015
Author(s)
Ye, Jun-Yan
Abstract
Neurons have the ability to change their synaptic functions and structures in response to the experiences of hyperactivation or hypoactivation. This ability has been suggested as the cellular basis for learning and memory. Despite of its importance, the downstream mechanisms for synaptic activity to mediate the change remain elusive. LanA, an alpha subunit of laminins, has been shown to regulate the synaptic growth of Drosophila laral neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). Drosophila larval NMJs exhibit high degree of structural plasticity, forming new boutons in response to acute synaptic activation. I was able to assay the effect of LanA on the induction of new bouton by synaptic activation, and showed that LanA levels are negatively correlated with the activation threshold required for new bouton induction. Furthermore, synaptic activation acutely down-regulates the level of LanA at NMJs, and this down-regulation can be blocked by treatment of inhibitor of matrix metalloproteases (MMPs), which have also been shown to suppress the induction of new bouton during acute activation paradigm. Thus, I propose a model, in which activity-dependent MMP activation mediate the clearance of LanA at NMJs, thus releasing its inhibition on structural plasticity, promoting new boutons to form.
Subjects
Laminin
Synaptic plasticity
Neuromuscular junction
Synapse
Type
thesis
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