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Dendritic spines are the main receptacles of excitatory information in the brain. Their particular morphology, with a small head connected to the dendrite by a slender neck, has inspired theoretical and experimental work to understand how these structural features affect the processing, storage and integration of synaptic inputs in pyramidal neurons (PNs). The activation of glutamate receptors in spines triggers a large voltage change as well as calcium signals at the spine head. Thus, voltage‐gated and calcium‐activated potassium channels located in the spine head likely play a key role in synaptic transmission. Here we study the presence and function of large conductance calcium‐activated potassium (BK) channels in spines from layer 5 PNs. We found that BK channels are localized to dendrites and spines regardless of their size, but their activity can only be detected in spines with small head volumes (≤0.09 μm3), which reduces the amplitude of two‐photon uncaging excitatory postsynaptic potentials recorded at the soma. In addition, we found that calcium signals in spines with small head volumes are significantly larger than those observed in spines with larger head volumes. In accordance with our experimental data, numerical simulations predict that synaptic inputs impinging onto spines with small head volumes generate voltage responses and calcium signals within the spine head itself that are significantly larger than those observed in spines with larger head volumes, which are sufficient to activate spine BK channels. These results show that BK channels are selectively activated in small‐headed spines, suggesting a new level of dendritic spine‐mediated regulation of synaptic processing, integration and plasticity in cortical PNs. Key points: BK channels are expressed in the visual cortex and layer 5 pyramidal neuron somata, dendrites and spines regardless of their size.BK channels are selectively activated in small‐headed spines (≤0.09 μm3), which reduces the amplitude of two‐photon (2P) uncaging excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) recorded at the soma.Two‐photon imaging revealed that intracellular calcium responses in the head of 2P‐activated spines are significantly larger in small‐headed spines (≤0.09 μm3) than in spines with larger head volumes.In accordance with our experimental data, numerical simulations showed that synaptic inputs impinging onto spines with small head volumes (≤0.09 μm3) generate voltage responses and calcium signals within the spine head itself that are significantly larger than those observed in spines with larger head volumes, sufficient to activate spine BK channels and suppress EPSPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integral membrane proteins such as ion channels, transporters, and receptors shape cell activity and mediate cell-to-cell communication in the brain. The distribution, quantity, and clustering arrangement of those proteins contribute to the physiological properties of the cell; therefore, precise quantification of their state can be used to gain insight into cellular function. Using a highly sensitive immunoelectron microscopy technique called sodium dodecyl sulfate-digested freeze-fracture replica immunogold labeling (SDS-FRL), multiple membrane proteins can be tagged with different sizes of immunogold particles at once and visualized two-dimensionally. For quantification, gold particles in the images must be annotated, and then different mathematical and statistical methods must be applied to characterize the distribution states of proteins of interest. To perform such analyses in a user-friendly manner, we developed a program with a simple graphical user interface called Gold In-and-Out (GIO), which integrates several classical and novel analysis methods for immunogold labeled replicas into one self-contained package. GIO takes an input of particle coordinates, then allows users to implement analysis methods such as nearest neighbor distance (NND) and particle clustering. The program not only performs the selected analysis but also automatically compares the results of the real distribution to a random distribution of the same number of particles on the membrane region of interest. In addition to classical approaches for analyzing protein distribution, GIO includes new tools to analyze the positional bias of a target protein relative to a morphological landmark such as dendritic spines, and can also be applied for synaptic protein analysis. Gold Rippler provides a normalized metric of particle density that is resistant to differences in labeling efficiency among samples, while Gold Star is useful for quantifying distances between a protein and landmark. This package aims to help standardize analysis methods for subcellular and synaptic protein localization with a user-friendly interface while increasing the efficiency of these time-consuming analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cone photoreceptors mediate daylight vision in vertebrates. Changes in neurotransmitter release at cone synapses encode visual information and is subject to precise control by negative feedback from enigmatic horizontal cells. However, the mechanisms that orchestrate this modulation are poorly understood due to a virtually unknown landscape of molecular players. Here, we report a molecular player operating selectively at cone synapses that modulates effects of horizontal cells on synaptic release. Using an unbiased proteomic screen, we identified an adhesion GPCR Latrophilin3 (LPHN3) in horizontal cell dendrites that engages in transsynaptic control of cones. We detected and characterized a prominent splice isoform of LPHN3 that excludes a element with inhibitory influence on transsynaptic interactions. A gain-of-function mouse model specifically routing LPHN3 splicing to this isoform but not knockout of LPHN3 diminished CaV1.4 calcium channel activity profoundly disrupted synaptic release by cones and resulted in synaptic transmission deficits. These findings offer molecular insight into horizontal cell modulation on cone synaptic function and more broadly demonstrate the importance of alternative splicing in adhesion GPCRs for their physiological function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM) workflows, identifying the same sub-cellular features in tissue by both light (LM) and electron microscopy (EM) remains a challenge. Furthermore, use of cryo-fixation for EM is desirable to capture rapid biological phenomena. Here, we describe a workflow that incorporates cryo-confocal laser scanning microscopy into the CLEM process, mapping cells in brain slices to re-image them with serial section scanning electron microscopy (ssSEM) array tomography. The addition of Airyscan detection increased the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), allowing individual spines in thick frozen tissue to be visualized at a sufficient spatial resolution, providing a new tool for a CLEM approach to capture biological dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Establishment of functional synaptic connections in a selective manner is essential for nervous system operation. In mammalian retinas, rod and cone photoreceptors form selective synaptic connections with different classes of bipolar cells (BCs) to propagate light signals. While there has been progress in elucidating rod wiring, molecular mechanisms used by cones to establish functional synapses with BCs have remained unknown. Using an unbiased proteomic strategy in cone-dominant species, we identified the cell-adhesion molecule ELFN2 to be pivotal for the functional wiring of cones with the ON type of BC. It is selectively expressed in cones and transsynaptically recruits the key neurotransmitter receptor mGluR6 in ON-BCs to enable synaptic transmission. Remarkably, ELFN2 in cone terminals functions in synergy with a related adhesion molecule, ELFN1, and their concerted interplay during development specifies selective wiring and transmission of cone signals. These findings identify a synaptic connectivity mechanism of cones and illustrate how interplay between adhesion molecules and postsynaptic transmitter receptors orchestrates functional synaptic specification in a neural circuit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key points: CAST/ELKS are positive regulators of presynaptic growth and are suppressors of active zone expansion at the developing mouse calyx of Held.CAST/ELKS regulate all three CaV2 subtype channel levels in the presynaptic terminal and not just CaV2.1.The half‐life of ELKS is on the timescale of days and not weeks.Synaptic transmission was not impacted by the loss of CAST/ELKS.CAST/ELKS are involved in pathways regulating morphological properties of presynaptic terminals during an early stage of circuit maturation. Many presynaptic active zone (AZ) proteins have multiple regulatory roles that vary during distinct stages of neuronal circuit development. The CAST/ELKS protein family are evolutionarily conserved presynaptic AZ molecules that regulate presynaptic calcium channels, synaptic transmission and plasticity in the mammalian CNS. However, how these proteins regulate synapse development and presynaptic function in a developing neuronal circuit in its native environment is unclear. To unravel the roles of CAST/ELKS in glutamatergic synapse development and in presynaptic function, we used CAST knockout (KO) and ELKS conditional KO (CKO) mice to examine how their loss during the early stages of circuit maturation impacted the calyx of Held presynaptic terminal development and function. Morphological analysis from confocal z‐stacks revealed that combined deletion of CAST/ELKS resulted in a reduction in the surface area and volume of the calyx. Analysis of AZ ultrastructure showed that AZ size was increased in the absence of CAST/ELKS. Patch clamp recordings demonstrated a reduction of all presynaptic CaV2 channel subtype currents that correlated with a loss in presynaptic CaV2 channel numbers. However, these changes did not impair synaptic transmission and plasticity and synaptic vesicle release kinetics. We conclude that CAST/ELKS proteins are positive regulators of presynaptic growth and are suppressors of AZ expansion and CaV2 subtype currents and levels during calyx of Held development. We propose that CAST/ELKS are involved in pathways regulating presynaptic morphological properties and CaV2 channel subtypes and suggest there is developmental compensation to preserve synaptic transmission during early stages of neuronal circuit maturation. Key points: CAST/ELKS are positive regulators of presynaptic growth and are suppressors of active zone expansion at the developing mouse calyx of Held.CAST/ELKS regulate all three CaV2 subtype channel levels in the presynaptic terminal and not just CaV2.1.The half‐life of ELKS is on the timescale of days and not weeks.Synaptic transmission was not impacted by the loss of CAST/ELKS.CAST/ELKS are involved in pathways regulating morphological properties of presynaptic terminals during an early stage of circuit maturation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The calyx of Held, a large glutamatergic presynaptic terminal in the auditory brainstem undergoes developmental changes to support the high action-potential firing rates required for auditory information encoding. In addition, calyx terminals are morphologically diverse, which impacts vesicle release properties and synaptic plasticity. Mitochondria influence synaptic plasticity through calcium buffering and are crucial for providing the energy required for synaptic transmission. Therefore, it has been postulated that mitochondrial levels increase during development and contribute to the morphological-functional diversity in the mature calyx. However, the developmental profile of mitochondrial volumes and subsynaptic distribution at the calyx of Held remains unclear. To provide insight on this, we developed a helper-dependent adenoviral vector that expresses the genetically encoded peroxidase marker for mitochondria, mito-APEX2, at the mouse calyx of Held. We developed protocols to detect labeled mitochondria for use with serial block face scanning electron microscopy to carry out semiautomated segmentation of mitochondria, high-throughput whole-terminal reconstruction, and presynaptic ultrastructure in mice of either sex. Subsequently, we measured mitochondrial volumes and subsynaptic distributions at the immature postnatal day (P)7 and the mature (P21) calyx. We found an increase of mitochondria volumes in terminals and axons from P7 to P21 but did not observe differences between stalk and swelling subcompartments in the mature calyx. Based on these findings, we propose that mitochondrial volumes and synaptic localization developmentally increase to support high firing rates required in the initial stages of auditory information processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cone photoreceptors scale dynamically the sensitivity of responses to maintain responsiveness across wide range of changes in luminance. Synaptic changes contribute to this adaptation, but how this process is coordinated at the molecular level is poorly understood. Here, we report that a cell adhesion-like molecule, LRIT1, is enriched selectively at cone photoreceptor synapses where it engages in a trans-synaptic interaction with mGluR6, the principal receptor in postsynaptic ON-bipolar cells. The levels of LRIT1 are regulated by the neurotransmitter release apparatus that controls photoreceptor output. Knockout of LRIT1 in mice increases the sensitivity of cone synaptic signaling while impairing its ability to adapt to background light without overtly influencing the morphology or molecular composition of photoreceptor synapses. Accordingly, mice lacking LRIT1 show visual deficits under conditions requiring temporally challenging discrimination of visual signals in steady background light. These observations reveal molecular mechanisms involved in scaling synaptic communication in the retina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Variations in utricle morphology may be responsible for different tolerances to ocean acidification (OA) within the macroalgal genus Halimeda, an important sediment producer on reefs. However, differences in species' utricle morphology and their relationship to calcification and crystal formation have not been well articulated. In the present study, we characterized the utricle morphologies of six Halimeda species. Primary utricle ultrastructure was quantitatively and qualitatively compared to tissue inorganic content and crystal microstructure. Morphologies differed across species and several morphometric relationships were revealed. Primary utricle size (r2=0.70) and diffusion pathway length (r2=0.87) had inverse relationships with inorganic content based on regression analyses, and corresponded to crystal microstructure form. Species with large utricles and long diffusion pathways contained more narrow (~0.15 μm) aragonite needles and minimal micro-anhedral crystal formations. In contrast, species with small utricles and short diffusion pathways elucidated aggregates of micro-anhedral crystals and wider aragonite needles (~0.30 μm). Species' utricle characteristics generally corresponded to specific evolutionary lineages. Thus, characteristics of Halimeda utricle morphology may control long-term adaptive responses to OA, an idea articulated in the broader literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Synaptic NMDA receptors (NMDARs) carry inward Ca2+ current responsible for postsynaptic signaling and plasticity in dendritic spines. Whether the concurrent K+ efflux through the same receptors into the synaptic cleft has a physiological role is not known. Here, we report that NMDAR-dependent K+ efflux can provide a retrograde signal in the synapse. In hippocampal CA3-CA1 synapses, the bulk of astrocytic K+ current triggered by synaptic activity reflected K+ efflux through local postsynaptic NMDARs. The local extracellular K+ rise produced by activation of postsynaptic NMDARs boosted action potential-evoked presynaptic Ca2+ transients and neurotransmitter release from Schaffer collaterals. Our findings indicate that postsynaptic NMDAR-mediated K+ efflux contributes to use-dependent synaptic facilitation, thus revealing a fundamental form of retrograde synaptic signaling. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

P/Q-type voltage-dependent calcium channels play key roles in transmitter release, integration of dendritic signals, generation of dendritic spikes, and gene expression. High intracellular calcium concentration transient produced by these channels is restricted to tens to hundreds of nanometers from the channels. Therefore, precise localization of these channels along the plasma membrane was long sought to decipher how each neuronal cell function is controlled. Here, we analyzed the distribution of Cav2.1 subunit of the P/Q-type channel using highly sensitive SDS-digested freeze-fracture replica labeling in the rat cerebellar Purkinje cells. The labeling efficiency was such that the number of immunogold particles in each parallel fiber active zone was comparable to that of functional channels calculated from previous reports. Two distinct patterns of Cav2.1 distribution, scattered and clustered, were found in Purkinje cells. The scattered Cav2.1 had a somatodendritic gradient with the density of immunogold particles increasing 2.5-fold from soma to distal dendrites. The other population with 74-fold higher density than the scattered particles was found within clusters of intramembrane particles on the P-face of soma and primary dendrites. Both populations of Cav2.1 were found as early as P3 and increased in the second postnatal week to a mature level. Using double immunogold labeling, we found that virtually all of the Cav2.1 clusters were colocalized with two types of calcium-activated potassium channels, BK and SK2, with the nearest neighbor distance of ~40 nm. Calcium nanodomain created by the opening of Cav2.1 channels likely activates the two channels that limit the extent of depolarization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The time course of signaling via heterotrimeric G proteins is controlled through their activation by G-protein coupled receptors and deactivation through the action of GTPase accelerating proteins (GAPs). Here we identify RGS7 and RGS11 as the key GAPs in the mGluR6 pathway of retinal rod ON bipolar cells that set the sensitivity and time course of light-evoked responses. We showed using electroretinography and single cell recordings that the elimination of RGS7 did not influence dark-adapted light-evoked responses, but the concurrent elimination of RGS11 severely reduced their magnitude and dramatically slowed the onset of the response. In RGS7/RGS11 double-knockout mice, light-evoked responses in rod ON bipolar cells were only observed during persistent activation of rod photoreceptors that saturate rods. These observations are consistent with persistently high G-protein activity in rod ON bipolar cell dendrites caused by the absence of the dominant GAP, biasing TRPM1 channels to the closed state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Visual information must be relayed through the lateral geniculate nucleus before it reaches the visual cortex. However, not all spikes created in the retina lead to postsynaptic spikes and properties of the retinogeniculate synapse contribute to this filtering. To understand the mechanisms underlying this filtering process, we conducted electrophysiology to assess the properties of signal transmission in the Long-Evans rat. We also performed SDS-digested freeze-fracture replica labeling to quantify the receptor and transporter distribution, as well as EM reconstruction to describe the 3D structure. To analyze the impact of transmitter diffusion on the activity of the receptors, simulations were integrated. We identified that a large contributor to the filtering is the marked paired-pulse depression at this synapse, which was intensified by the morphological characteristics of the contacts. The broad presynaptic and postsynaptic contact area restricts transmitter diffusion two dimensionally. Additionally, the presence of multiple closely arranged release sites invites intersynaptic spillover, which causes desensitization of AMPA receptors. The presence of AMPA receptors that slowly recover from desensitization along with the high presynaptic release probability and multivesicular release at each synapse also contribute to the depression. These features contrast with many other synapses where spatiotemporal spread of transmitter is limited by rapid transmitter clearance allowing synapses to operate more independently. We propose that the micrometer-order structure can ultimately affect the visual information processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We present a method for immunolabeling of multiple species of membrane proteins with high spatial resolution. It allows differentiation of equally sized very small markers with different chemical compositions, which leads to high labeling efficiency and reduces steric hindrance of closely spaced immunolabeled biomolecules. Markers such as CdSe/ZnS semiconductor quantum dots and colloidal gold particles are distinguished by differential contrast in high-angle annular detector dark-field STEM mode or by EDX microanalysis of their elemental contents. This method was tested by observation of labeled AMPA- and NMDA-type glutamate receptors on sodium-dodecyl-sulfate-digested replica prepared from rat hippocampus. To improve particle visibility and detectability, the replica films were made exclusively with carbon to avoid the high background of conventional platinum/carbon replica. Extension of the method is suggested by detection of 1.4nm nanogold particles and its potential application in the biological imaging research. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Mammalian retinas contain abundant neuronal gap junctions, particularly in the inner plexiform layer (IPL), where the two principal neuronal connexin proteins are Cx36 and Cx45. Currently undetermined are coupling relationships between these connexins and whether both are expressed together or separately in a neuronal subtype-specific manner. Although Cx45-expressing neurons strongly couple with Cx36-expressing neurons, possibly via heterotypic gap junctions, Cx45 and Cx36 failed to form functional heterotypic channels in vitro. We now show that Cx36 and Cx45 coexpressed in HeLa cells were colocalized in immunofluorescent puncta between contacting cells, demonstrating targeting/scaffolding competence for both connexins in vitro. However, Cx36 and Cx45 expressed separately did not form immunofluorescent puncta containing both connexins, supporting lack of heterotypic coupling competence. In IPL, 87% of Cx45-immunofluorescent puncta were colocalized with Cx36, supporting either widespread heterotypic coupling or bihomotypic coupling. Ultrastructurally, Cx45 was detected in 9% of IPL gap junction hemiplaques, 90—100% of which also contained Cx36, demonstrating connexin coexpression and cotargeting in virtually all IPL neurons that express Cx45. Moreover, double replicas revealed both connexins in separate domains mirrored on both sides of matched hemiplaques. With previous evidence that Cx36 interacts with PDZ1 domain of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), we show that Cx45 interacts with PDZ2 domain of ZO-1, and that Cx36, Cx45, and ZO-1 coimmunoprecipitate, suggesting that ZO-1 provides for coscaffolding of Cx45 with Cx36. These data document that in Cx45-expressing neurons of IPL, Cx45 is almost always accompanied by Cx36, forming "bihomotypic" gap junctions, with Cx45 structurally coupling to Cx45 and Cx36 coupling to Cx36. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

3-Amino-1,2,4-triazole (3-AT) is known as an inhibitor of catalase to whose active center it specifically and covalently binds. Subcellular fractionation and immunoelectronmicroscopic observation of the yeast Candida tropicalis revealed that, in 3-AT-treated cells in which the 3-AT was added to the n-alkane medium from the beginning of cultivation, catalase transported into peroxisomes was inactivated and was present as insoluble aggregated forms in the organelle. The aggregation of catalase in peroxisomes occurred only in these 3-AT-treated cells and not in cells in which 3-AT was added at the late exponential growth phase. Furthermore, 3-AT did not affect the transportation of catalase into peroxisomes. The appearance of aggregation only in cells to which 3-AT was added from the beginning of cultivation suggests that, in the process of catalase transportation into yeast peroxisomes, some conformational change may take place and that correct folding may be inhibited by the binding of 3-AT to the active center of catalase. Accordingly, 3-AT will be an interesting compound for investigation of the transport machinery of the peroxisomal tetrameric catalase. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]