Abstract
Neurons communicate with each other via electrical or chemical synaptic connections. The pattern and strength of connections between neurons are critical for generating appropriate output. What mechanisms govern the formation of electrical and/or chemical synapses between two neurons? Recent studies indicate that common molecular players could regulate the formation of both of these classes of synapses. In addition, electrical and chemical synapses can mutually coregulate each other’s formation. Electrical activity, generated spontaneously by the nervous system or initiated from sensory experience, plays an important role in this process, leading to the selection of appropriate connections and the elimination of inappropriate ones. In this review, we discuss recent studies that shed light on the formation and developmental interactions of chemical and electrical synapses.
Highlights
Information processing within nervous systems depends on connectivity between neurons
In comparison to the wealth of information available regarding chemical synaptogenesis, precious little is known about the formation of electrical synapses
How do the coupled neurons direct the trafficking of gap junctional proteins to the junction where the two membranes come in contact? What signaling mechanisms may be involved in this process? Some knowledge about the processes involved has been gleaned from in vitro assays involving connexins found within and outside the nervous system
Summary
Shaista Jabeen and X Vatsala Thirumalai1 1National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute for Fundamental Research, Bangalore, India; and 2Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Madhav Nagar, Manipal, India. The pattern and strength of connections between neurons are critical for generating appropriate output. What mechanisms govern the formation of electrical and/or chemical synapses between two neurons? Recent studies indicate that common molecular players could regulate the formation of both of these classes of synapses. Electrical activity, generated spontaneously by the nervous system or initiated from sensory experience, plays an important role in this process, leading to the selection of appropriate connections and the elimination of inappropriate ones. We discuss recent studies that shed light on the formation and developmental interactions of chemical and electrical synapses. We discuss recent studies that shed light on the formation and developmental interactions of chemical and electrical synapses. activity; circuit assembly; connexin; development; dye coupling; electrotonic coupling; gap junctions; innexin
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