Uncovering the protein delivery mechanism in synaptic plasticity

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K06498
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 46010:Neuroscience-general-related
• Research Institution: Kobe Pharmaceutical University (2020-2021); Center for Novel Science Initatives, National Institutes of Natural Sciences (2018-2019)
• Principal Investigator: Nakayama Kei 神戸薬科大学, 薬学部, 助教 (40553590)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: シナプス可塑性 / 細胞内小器官 / 微小管

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To test whether organelles involved in secretory pathway change their localizations during synaptic plasticity, live imaging of ER and ERGIC was performed. These organelles　accumulated in the vicinity of the stimulated-spine. Microtubules play important roles in the motility of organelles in dendritic shaft. I therefore examined whether the dynamics of microtubules is involved in the synaptic plasticity. Spines are enlarged by the treatment with Nocodazole. In contrast, stimulation-induced change in spine was suppressed by Taxol treatment. These results suggested that the dynamics of microtubules is involved in the synaptic plasticity.

Free Research Field

細胞生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究において、シナプス刺激に応じた局所翻訳の活性化と協調して細胞内小器官の局在が制御されることが明らかになった。さらに、それら細胞内小器官の局在制御に関わる微小管動態がシナプスの可塑的変化へ関与することも示唆された。シナプスの可塑的変化は記憶形成の細胞基盤であるため、これらの研究成果は、長期記憶形成機構の理解に貢献しうると期待される。