Rapid synapse elimination after postsynaptic protein synthesis inhibition in vivo

CM McCann, QT Nguyen, H Santo Neto, JW Lichtman - 2007 - Soc Neuroscience
CM McCann, QT Nguyen, H Santo Neto, JW Lichtman
2007Soc Neuroscience
To examine the role of retrograde signals on synaptic maintenance, we inhibited protein
synthesis in individual postsynaptic cells in vivo while monitoring presynaptic terminals.
Within 12 h, axon terminals begin to atrophy and withdraw from normal postsynaptic sites.
Structural similarities between this process and naturally occurring synapse elimination
suggest that short-lived target derived factors not only participate in synaptic maintenance in
adults, but also regulate elimination of connections during development.
To examine the role of retrograde signals on synaptic maintenance, we inhibited protein synthesis in individual postsynaptic cells in vivo while monitoring presynaptic terminals. Within 12 h, axon terminals begin to atrophy and withdraw from normal postsynaptic sites. Structural similarities between this process and naturally occurring synapse elimination suggest that short-lived target derived factors not only participate in synaptic maintenance in adults, but also regulate elimination of connections during development.
Soc Neuroscience