Synapse nano-analysis for understanding of neural circuit formation

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20H00481
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 46:Neuroscience and related fields
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: OKABE SHIGEO 東京大学, 大学院医学系研究科(医学部), 教授 (60204012)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: シナプス / 神経回路 / 細胞骨格 / 超解像顕微鏡 / インビボイメージング

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study applied advanced technologies to analyze the nano-scale structure and molecular distribution within synapses and established a model which explains the relationship between molecular dynamics and the function of spine synapses. We further established a method measuring characteristic synapse structure in the neural circuit of living animal models. From the nano-scale structural analysis of spine synapses in culture neurons, we could provide a quantitative model explaining the contribution of spine head curvature in synapse stabilization. Furthermore, the expected spine morphological changes could be analyzed both in culture preparations and in vivo by taking advantage of tissue-clearing technology and expansion microscopy. The obtained imaging data support the existence of common features of neurons in two different environments.

Free Research Field

神経細胞生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

脳の神経回路はヒトの感覚、行動、記憶、意識などに関連する情報処理の基盤となる構造であり、回路のつなぎ目となるシナプスの形成と機能調節のメカニズムを理解することはヒトの脳機能の理解とその病態の解明に貢献する。本研究によってシナプスの微細な構造、特にスパインシナプスの頭部の表面形状とシナプス機能の関連が明確になり、スパインシナプスを介した情報処理の研究の発展に貢献する事が期待できる。