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Semaphorin3A regulates synaptic function of differentiated hippocampal neurons
Author(s) -
Bouzioukh Farima,
Daoudal Gaël,
Falk Julien,
Debanne Dominique,
Rougon Geneviève,
Castellani Valérie
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
european journal of neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.346
H-Index - 206
eISSN - 1460-9568
pISSN - 0953-816X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2006.04783.x
Subject(s) - semaphorin , hippocampal formation , neuroscience , sema3a , postsynaptic potential , biology , synaptophysin , neuropilin , axon guidance , neurotransmission , axon , neuropilin 1 , receptor , vascular endothelial growth factor , biochemistry , immunohistochemistry , cancer research , immunology , vegf receptors
Semaphorins are major chemorepellents for developing neuronal projections. Their persistent expression at adult stages suggests that they may contribute to the functioning of neuronal circuits. We investigated the functional properties of semaphorin3A (Sema3A) in adult hippocampal neurons, and report that exogenous application of this cue decreases the efficacy of synaptic transmission evoked in the CA1 region of hippocampal slices. In situ hybridization, imaging and biochemical techniques showed that the Sema3A receptor component neuropilin‐1 is present at hippocampal synapses and localizes in the presynaptic membrane. In differentiated cultured hippocampal neurons, Sema3A elicited Erk1/2 phosphorylation in somata and neuritic compartments. Furthermore, Sema3A application resulted in a striking reduction of synaptophysin and postsynaptic density 95 puncta without affecting the axon diameter. These observations reveal novel functional potentialities for secreted semaphorins, which suggest that these cues could modulate the morphology and function of synapses in the adult brain.