کد مقاله | کد نشریه | سال انتشار | مقاله انگلیسی | نسخه تمام متن |
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4322050 | 1291678 | 2011 | 14 صفحه PDF | دانلود رایگان |
SummaryNeurexin and neuroligin, which undergo heterophilic interactions with each other at the synapse, are mutated in some patients with autism spectrum disorder, a set of disorders characterized by deficits in social and emotional learning. We have explored the role of neurexin and neuroligin at sensory-to-motor neuron synapses of the gill-withdrawal reflex in Aplysia, which undergoes sensitization, a simple form of learned fear. We find that depleting neurexin in the presynaptic sensory neuron or neuroligin in the postsynaptic motor neuron abolishes both long-term facilitation and the associated presynaptic growth induced by repeated pulses of serotonin. Moreover, introduction into the motor neuron of the R451C mutation of neuroligin-3 linked to autism spectrum disorder blocks both intermediate-term and long-term facilitation. Our results suggest that activity-dependent regulation of the neurexin-neuroligin interaction may govern transsynaptic signaling required for the storage of long-term memory, including emotional memory that may be impaired in autism spectrum disorder.
► Neurexin in the presynaptic neuron mediates LTF and presynaptic structural changes
► Neuroligin in the postsynaptic neuron mediates LTF and presynaptic structural changes
► Neurexin and neuroligin are also important for persistence of long-term facilitation
► Neuroligin autism-linked mutant blocks intermediate-term and long-term facilitation
Journal: - Volume 70, Issue 3, 12 May 2011, Pages 468–481