Mathematical modeling of sustainable synaptogenesis by repetitive stimuli suggests signaling mechanisms in vivo

PLoS One. 2012;7(12):e51000. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0051000. Epub 2012 Dec 20.

Abstract

The mechanisms of long-term synaptic maintenance are a key component to understanding the mechanism of long-term memory. From biological experiments, a hypothesis arose that repetitive stimuli with appropriate intervals are essential to maintain new synapses for periods of longer than a few days. We successfully reproduce the time-course of relative numbers of synapses with our mathematical model in the same conditions as biological experiments, which used Adenosine-3', 5'-cyclic monophosphorothioate, Sp-isomer (Sp-cAMPS) as external stimuli. We also reproduce synaptic maintenance responsiveness to intervals of Sp-cAMPS treatment accompanied by PKA activation. The model suggests a possible mechanism of sustainable synaptogenesis which consists of two steps. First, the signal transduction from an external stimulus triggers the synthesis of a new signaling protein. Second, the new signaling protein is required for the next signal transduction with the same stimuli. As a result, the network component is modified from the first network, and a different signal is transferred which triggers the synthesis of another new signaling molecule. We refer to this hypothetical mechanism as network succession. We build our model on the basis of two hypotheses: (1) a multi-step network succession induces downregulation of SSH and COFILIN gene expression, which triggers the production of stable F-actin; (2) the formation of a complex of stable F-actin with Drebrin at PSD is the critical mechanism to achieve long-term synaptic maintenance. Our simulation shows that a three-step network succession is sufficient to reproduce sustainable synapses for a period longer than 14 days. When we change the network structure to a single step network, the model fails to follow the exact condition of repetitive signals to reproduce a sufficient number of synapses. Another advantage of the three-step network succession is that this system indicates a greater tolerance of parameter changes than the single step network.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actin Depolymerizing Factors / metabolism
  • Actins / metabolism
  • Down-Regulation
  • Models, Neurological*
  • Neuropeptides / metabolism
  • Phosphoprotein Phosphatases / metabolism
  • Physical Stimulation
  • Post-Synaptic Density / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Synapses / metabolism*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Actin Depolymerizing Factors
  • Actins
  • Neuropeptides
  • drebrins
  • Phosphoprotein Phosphatases

Grants and funding

This work was supported by Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research 22710221 (http://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-grants/index.html). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.