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Molecular and functional asymmetry at a vertebrate electrical synapse.
- Source :
-
Neuron [Neuron] 2013 Sep 04; Vol. 79 (5), pp. 957-69. - Publication Year :
- 2013
-
Abstract
- Electrical synapses are abundant in the vertebrate brain, but their functional and molecular complexities are still poorly understood. We report here that electrical synapses between auditory afferents and goldfish Mauthner cells are constructed by apposition of hemichannels formed by two homologs of mammalian connexin 36 (Cx36) and that, while Cx35 is restricted to presynaptic hemiplaques, Cx34.7 is restricted to postsynaptic hemiplaques, forming heterotypic junctions. This molecular asymmetry is associated with rectification of electrical transmission that may act to promote cooperativity between auditory afferents. Our data suggest that, in similarity to pre- and postsynaptic sites at chemical synapses, one side in electrical synapses should not necessarily be considered the mirror image of the other. While asymmetry based on the presence of two Cx36 homologs is restricted to teleost fish, it might also be based on differences in posttranslational modifications of individual connexins or in the complement of gap junction-associated proteins.<br /> (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Subjects :
- Animals
Brain metabolism
Brain physiology
Connexins physiology
Electrical Synapses physiology
Fish Proteins physiology
Gap Junctions metabolism
Gap Junctions physiology
Goldfish
Neurons, Afferent physiology
Gap Junction delta-2 Protein
Brain cytology
Connexins metabolism
Electrical Synapses metabolism
Fish Proteins metabolism
Neurons, Afferent metabolism
Synaptic Transmission physiology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1097-4199
- Volume :
- 79
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Neuron
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 24012008
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2013.06.037