The Cell-Autonomous Role of Excitatory Synaptic Transmission in the Regulation of Neuronal Structure and Function

• Genetic silencing of synaptic transmission in single neurons in vivo
• Cell-autonomous role of excitatory synaptic transmission in individual neurons
• Dichotomic role of synaptic transmission in neuronal structure and function
• Synaptic excitation is not essential for spine development and maintenance

SummaryThe cell-autonomous role of synaptic transmission in the regulation of neuronal structural and electrical properties is unclear. We have now employed a genetic approach to eliminate glutamatergic synaptic transmission onto individual CA1 pyramidal neurons in a mosaic fashion in vivo. Surprisingly, while electrical properties are profoundly affected in these neurons, as well as inhibitory synaptic transmission, we found little perturbation of neuronal morphology, demonstrating a functional segregation of excitatory synaptic transmission from neuronal morphological development.