In:
The Journal of Neuroscience, Society for Neuroscience, Vol. 18, No. 24 ( 1998-12-15), p. 10310-10319
Abstract:
We have characterized paired-pulse facilitation at Aplysia sensory neuron-to-motoneuron synapses. This simple form of very short-term synaptic plasticity displayed an unusual feature: it decreased dramatically with repeated testing. Synaptic depression at these synapses and this use-dependent decrease in paired-pulse facilitation occurred independently of each other. Paired-pulse facilitation was inversely correlated with the size of the initial synaptic connection and was absent at stronger synapses. The use-dependent decrease in paired-pulse facilitation occurred at the same rate at large synapses as at small synapses, although the initial paired-pulse facilitation at large synapses was substantially smaller. Rates of synaptic depression were also independent of initial synaptic strength. Paired-pulse facilitation was blocked by presynaptic EGTA injection, but not by postsynaptic EGTA or BAPTA injection. These results indicate that presynaptic Ca 2+ influx plays a critical role in paired-pulse facilitation. However, the persistence of the decrease in paired-pulse facilitation for longer than 15 min suggests that Ca 2+ from the first paired action potential produces facilitation via a modulatory mechanism rather than by summating with Ca 2+ influx during the second paired action potential in activating the Ca 2+ binding sites that initiate exocytosis. This modulatory mechanism may not involve protein phosphorylation because paired-pulse facilitation was unaffected by the protein kinase inhibitors H7 and KN-62. These findings further suggest that release by the second paired action potential occurs at sites distinct from those that mediate release by the first action potential.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0270-6474
,
1529-2401
DOI:
10.1523/JNEUROSCI.18-24-10310.1998
Language:
English
Publisher:
Society for Neuroscience
Publication Date:
1998
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1475274-8
SSG:
12
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