During neural development many more synapses are formed than are maintained. The long range goal of this research is to understand the mechanisms that determine which synaptic terminals will be maintained, and which eliminated. In this study an in vitro system, which allows for detailed examinations of the organizations and development of synaptic connections, will be used. The major experimental approach will be to use intracellular recording and staining to map the termination of presynaptic neurons onto the surface of dissociated chick sympathetic ganglion neurons, and then to examine in detail the properties of transmission at individual synaptic sites. Cultures will be studied at time points beginning soon after co-culture in order to determine hiw the distribution and the function of terminals change during development. The developmental sequence will be verified by folloiwng individual neurons in long term microcultures. Finally, the growth conditions will be manipulated in order to test possible rules governing synaptic organization. Issues that will be adddressed include the importance of competitive interactions and of pre- and postsynaptic impulse activity. This study will add to our understanding of the steps that lead to stable synaptic transmission. Knowledge of the basic mechanisms that regulate synaptic connections is likely to be relevant to understanding degenerative neurological diseases in which synaptic function is impaired or disrupted.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS021043-02
Application #
3401772
Study Section
Neurology B Subcommittee 1 (NEUB)
Project Start
1984-07-01
Project End
1987-06-30
Budget Start
1985-07-01
Budget End
1986-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1985
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Michigan Ann Arbor
Department
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
791277940
City
Ann Arbor
State
MI
Country
United States
Zip Code
48109
Clyne, J D; Hume, R I (1997) Inexpensive method for viewing fluorescent DiI-labeled cells with a dissecting microscope. Biotechniques 23:1018-20, 1022
Moorman, S J (1996) The inhibition of motility that results from contact between two oligodendrocytes in vitro can be blocked by pertussis toxin. Glia 16:257-65
Moorman, S J; Hume, R I (1994) Contact with myelin evokes a release of calcium from internal stores in neonatal rat oligodendrocytes in vitro. Glia 10:202-10
Moorman, S J; Hume, R I (1993) Omega-conotoxin prevents myelin-evoked growth cone collapse in neonatal rat locus coeruleus neurons in vitro. J Neurosci 13:4727-36
Hume, R I; Dingledine, R; Heinemann, S F (1991) Identification of a site in glutamate receptor subunits that controls calcium permeability. Science 253:1028-31
Hume, R I; Honig, M G (1991) Physiological properties of newly formed synapses between sympathetic preganglionic neurons and sympathetic ganglion neurons. J Neurobiol 22:249-62
Clendening, B; Hume, R I (1990) Cell interactions regulate dendritic morphology and responses to neurotransmitters in embryonic chick sympathetic preganglionic neurons in vitro. J Neurosci 10:3992-4005
Clendening, B; Hume, R I (1990) Expression of multiple neurotransmitter receptors by sympathetic preganglionic neurons in vitro. J Neurosci 10:3977-91
Moorman, S J; Hume, R I (1990) Growth cones of chick sympathetic preganglionic neurons in vitro interact with other neurons in a cell-specific manner. J Neurosci 10:3158-63
Honig, M G; Hume, R I (1989) Dil and diO: versatile fluorescent dyes for neuronal labelling and pathway tracing. Trends Neurosci 12:333-5, 340-1

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