Long-term depression of Aplysia sensorimotor synapses in cell culture: inductive role of a rise in postsynaptic calcium

J Neurophysiol. 1996 Sep;76(3):2111-4. doi: 10.1152/jn.1996.76.3.2111.

Abstract

1. Activation of sensory neurons at 2 Hz for 15 min induces long-term depression (LTD) of isolated Aplysia sensorimotor synapses in cell culture. 2. Prior infusion of the Ca2+ chelator 1,2-bis-(2-aminophenoxy)-ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA) into the postsynaptic motor neuron blocks the induction of LTD, but not short-term synaptic depression. 3. Invertebrate central synapses possess the capacity for LTD. This form of long-term synaptic plasticity may play an important role in learning in Aplysia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aplysia / physiology*
  • Calcium / physiology*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chelating Agents / pharmacology
  • Egtazic Acid / analogs & derivatives
  • Egtazic Acid / pharmacology
  • Electrophysiology
  • Ganglia, Invertebrate / cytology
  • Ganglia, Invertebrate / drug effects
  • Motor Neurons / drug effects
  • Motor Neurons / physiology*
  • Neuronal Plasticity / drug effects
  • Neuronal Plasticity / physiology*
  • Neurons, Afferent / drug effects
  • Neurons, Afferent / physiology*
  • Synapses / drug effects
  • Synapses / physiology*

Substances

  • Chelating Agents
  • Egtazic Acid
  • 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid
  • Calcium