Target cell selection and specific synapse formation by identified Lymnaea neurons in vitro
Sencer, G.E.; Syed, N.I. (1994). Target cell selection and specific synapse formation by identified Lymnaea neurons in vitro. Neth. J. Zool. 44(3-4): 327-338
In: Netherlands Journal of Zoology. E.J. Brill: Leiden. ISSN 0028-2960; e-ISSN 1568-542X, meer
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| Abstract |
Our research is aimed at determining both cellular and molecular machanisms that underline target cell selection and specific synapse formation in the nervous system. We have developed an invitro experimental systyem which uses identified pre- and postsynaptic neurons from the mollusc Lymnaea stagnalis. A giant presynaptic neuron, the right pedal dorsal 1(RDeD 1), re-establishes its specific synapses in culture with only postsynaptic target cells (such as visceral J,I), but not with non target cells (VF, RPB). In an attempt to begin to elucidate mechanisms that determine the specificity of synaptogenesis between Lymaea neurons in vitro, we studied the behaviour of both target and non-target cell growth cones as they encoutered RPeD1's growth cones for the first time. Utilizing time-lapse video imaging techniques, we demonstrate that RPeD1 growth cones attract and repel target and non-target cell growth cones respectively. We suggest that the specificity of synaptogenesis between RPeD& and both target and non-target is determined at the growth cone level and may involve release of a diffusible subtance from the growth cones of RPeD1. |
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