Abstract
We have developed a genetic approach to examine the role of spontaneous activity and synaptic release in the establishment and maintenance of an olfactory sensory map. Conditional expression of tetanus toxin light chain, a molecule that inhibits synaptic release, does not perturb targeting during development, but neurons that express this molecule in a competitive environment fail to maintain appropriate synaptic connections and disappear. Overexpression of the inward rectifying potassium channel, Kir2.1, diminishes the excitability of sensory neurons and more severely disrupts the formation of an olfactory map. These studies suggest that spontaneous neural activity is required for the establishment and maintenance of the precise connectivity inherent in an olfactory sensory map.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Action Potentials / genetics
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Animals
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Body Patterning / genetics
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Brain Mapping
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Cell Differentiation / genetics*
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Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / genetics
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Genes, Reporter / genetics
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Growth Cones / metabolism*
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Growth Cones / ultrastructure
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Membrane Proteins / metabolism
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Metalloendopeptidases / genetics
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Metalloendopeptidases / metabolism
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Mice
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Neuronal Plasticity / genetics
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Neurons, Afferent / cytology
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Neurons, Afferent / metabolism*
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Olfactory Bulb / cytology
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Olfactory Bulb / growth & development*
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Olfactory Bulb / metabolism
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Olfactory Mucosa / cytology
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Olfactory Mucosa / growth & development*
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Olfactory Mucosa / metabolism
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Olfactory Pathways / cytology
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Olfactory Pathways / growth & development*
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Olfactory Pathways / metabolism
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Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying / genetics
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Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying / metabolism
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Presynaptic Terminals / metabolism
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Presynaptic Terminals / ultrastructure
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R-SNARE Proteins
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Synaptic Transmission / genetics
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Synaptophysin / metabolism
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Tetanus Toxin / genetics
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Tetanus Toxin / metabolism
Substances
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Membrane Proteins
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Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying
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R-SNARE Proteins
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Synaptophysin
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Tetanus Toxin
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Metalloendopeptidases
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zinc-endopeptidase, tetanus neurotoxin