Publication

Rapid activity-dependent modifications in synaptic structure and function require bidirectional Wnt signaling

Ataman, Bulent
Ashley, James A.
Gorczyca, Michael
Ramachandran, Preethi
Fouquet, Wernher
Sigrist, Stephan J.
Budnik, Vivian
Citations
Altmetric:
Student Authors
Bulent Ataman
James Ashley
Preethi Ramachandran
Faculty Advisor
Academic Program
Neuroscience
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Date
2008-03-18
Keywords
Subject Area
Embargo Expiration Date
Abstract

Activity-dependent modifications in synapse structure play a key role in synaptic development and plasticity, but the signaling mechanisms involved are poorly understood. We demonstrate that glutamatergic Drosophila neuromuscular junctions undergo rapid changes in synaptic structure and function in response to patterned stimulation. These changes, which depend on transcription and translation, include formation of motile presynaptic filopodia, elaboration of undifferentiated varicosities, and potentiation of spontaneous release frequency. Experiments indicate that a bidirectional Wnt/Wg signaling pathway underlies these changes. Evoked activity induces Wnt1/Wg release from synaptic boutons, which stimulates both a postsynaptic DFz2 nuclear import pathway as well as a presynaptic pathway involving GSK-3beta/Shaggy. Our findings suggest that bidirectional Wg signaling operates downstream of synaptic activity to induce modifications in synaptic structure and function. We propose that activation of the postsynaptic Wg pathway is required for the assembly of the postsynaptic apparatus, while activation of the presynaptic Wg pathway regulates cytoskeletal dynamics.

Source

Neuron. 2008 Mar 13;57(5):705-18. Link to article on publisher's site

Year of Medical School at Time of Visit
Sponsors
Dates of Travel
DOI
10.1016/j.neuron.2008.01.026
PubMed ID
18341991
Other Identifiers
Notes
Funding and Acknowledgements
Corresponding Author
Related Resources
Related Resources
Repository Citation
Rights
Distribution License