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Distinct mechanisms regulate GABA A receptor and gephyrin clustering at perisomatic and axo‐axonic synapses on CA1 pyramidal cells
Author(s) -
Panzanelli Patrizia,
Gunn Benjamin G.,
Schlatter Monika C.,
Benke Dietmar,
Tyagarajan Shiva K.,
Scheiffele Peter,
Belelli Delia,
Lambert Jeremy J.,
Rudolph Uwe,
Fritschy JeanMarc
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the journal of physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.802
H-Index - 240
eISSN - 1469-7793
pISSN - 0022-3751
DOI - 10.1113/jphysiol.2011.216028
Subject(s) - neuroscience , gephyrin , biology , glycine receptor , genetics , amino acid , glycine
Non‐Technical Summary To be effective, synaptic transmission requires precise alignment of the presynaptic terminal, releasing the neurotransmitter, with the postsynaptic density, where receptors are present at high density. Complex molecular mechanisms ensure this interplay between neurons and, in addition, stabilize receptors in the postsynaptic membrane. To explore these mechanisms at GABAergic synapses, which mediate inhibitory neurotransmission in the brain, we investigated here the consequences of ‘removing’ the receptors, using targeted gene deletion. Our results show that the receptors are dispensable for synapse formation, but are required for the postsynaptic aggregation of several proteins involved in receptor trafficking, anchoring and regulation. Defects in the molecular regulation of GABAergic synapses have been associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, mental retardation, anxiety and mood disorders, underscoring the relevance of fine tuning of GABAergic inhibition for proper brain function.