Investigation of synaptic maintenance mechanisms via inositol trisphosphate signaling in neurons and glial cells

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Synaptic functions should be maintained for the stable information processing in the brain. It is recognized that the shut down of experience inputs result in the attenuation of corresponding brain functions. We thus set out to investigate mechanisms underlying the synaptic maintenance mediated by ongoing experience-dependent inputs.Whisker deprivation in mature mice induced the attenuation of synaptic strength in the neocortex. We revealed that the shut down of metabotropic glutamate receptor and following inositol trisphosphate (IP3) signaling in neurons is involved in this deprivation-induced attenuation. Therefore, IP3 signaling induced by ongoing whisker inputs is indispensable for the maintenance of synaptic functions.