Affiliation:
1. Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States
2. Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States
Abstract
In many parts of the nervous system, signals pass across multiple synaptic relays on their way to a destination, but little is known about how these relays form and the function they serve. To get some insight into this question we ask how the connectivity patterns are organized at two successive synaptic relays in a simple, cholinergic efferent pathway. We found that the organization at successive relays in the parasympathetic nervous system strongly resemble each other despite the different embryological origin and physiological properties of the pre- and postsynaptic cells. Additionally, we found a similar developmental synaptic pruning and elaboration strategy is used at both sites to generate their adult organizations. The striking parallels in adult innervation and developmental mechanisms at the relays argue that a general strategy is in operation. We discuss why from a functional standpoint this structural organization may amplify central signals while at the same time maintaining positional targeting.
Funder
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Gatsby Charitable Foundation
National Institute of Mental Health
Conte Center, Harvard University
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Científico y Tecnológico
Publisher
eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd
Subject
General Immunology and Microbiology,General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology,General Medicine,General Neuroscience
Cited by
10 articles.
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