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Superresolution Microscopy Studies of the Synaptic Localization of Neuromodulatory Proteins in Hippocampal Neurons
Author(s) -
Lochner Janis Elizabeth,
Murphy Taylor,
Shaver Daniel,
Scalettar Bethe
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.786.1
Subject(s) - neuroscience , postsynaptic density , postsynaptic potential , microscopy , synaptic vesicle , photoactivated localization microscopy , fluorescence microscope , hippocampal formation , super resolution microscopy , biophysics , optics , biology , fluorescence , physics , vesicle , inhibitory postsynaptic potential , genetics , biochemistry , excitatory postsynaptic potential , receptor , membrane
Superresolution microscopy techniques, light‐based imaging techniques that can surpass the resolution limit imposed by diffraction, are beginning to play an increasing role in studies of synaptic physiology and plasticity. Neuromodulatory proteins implicated in memory‐related synaptic plasticity reside in densecore granules (DCGs) that are transported to both pre‐ and postsynaptic sites. We are using structured illumination microscopy (SIM), a superresolution imaging technique that can be used for multi‐color fluorescence imaging, to evaluate the position of DCGs relative to the active zone, the site where synaptic vesicles cluster near their release machinery. Additionally, we are evaluating if DCGs are targeted to a recently identified exocytic microdomain that is positioned lateral to the postsynaptic density. The enhanced resolution of SIM allows individual DCGs to be distinguished from DCG clusters, and the multi‐color capabilities of SIM provide more detailed synaptic localization data than were previously available using standard wide‐field and laser scanning fluorescence microscopy. This work is supported by National Institutes of Health grant 2 R15 NS40425–03.