In:
eLife, eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd, Vol. 12 ( 2023-07-06)
Abstract:
The human brain contains billions of nerve cells, known as neurons, which receive input from the outside world and process this information in the brain. Neurons communicate with each other by releasing chemical messengers from specialized structures, called axon terminals, some of which form junctions known as synapses. These messengers then generate signals in the target neurons. Based on the type of chemical they release, neurons can be classified into different types. For example, neurons releasing dopamine are considered to act as key regulators of learning, movements and motivation. Such neurons establish very large numbers of axon terminals, but very few of them form synapses. Specific sets of proteins, including neurexins and neuroligins, are thought to help regulate the activity of the connexions between these neurons. Previous research has shown that when neuroligins were removed from the neurons of worms or mice, it affected the ability of the animals to move. So far, the role of neurexins in managing the connectivity of regulatory neurons, such as those releasing dopamine, has received much less attention. To bridge this knowledge gap, Ducrot et al. explored how removing neurexins from dopamine neurons in mice affected their behaviour. The experiments revealed that eliminating neurexins did not affect their motor skills on a rotating rod, but it did reduce their movements in response to the psychostimulant amphetamine, a molecule known to enhance dopamine-associated behaviours. The cellular structure of dopamine neurons lacking neurexins was the same as in neurons containing this protein. But dopamine neurons without neurexins were slower to recycle dopamine, and they released a higher amount of the inhibitory messenger GABA. This suggests that neurexin acts as an important suppressor of GABA secretion to help regulate the signals released by dopamine neurons. These findings set the stage for further research into the role of neurexins in regulating dopamine and other populations of neurons in conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, where movement and coordination are affected.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
2050-084X
Language:
English
Publisher:
eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd
Publication Date:
2023
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2687154-3
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