PHYSIOLOGY AND PLASTICITY OF VISUAL CORTICAL SYNAPSES

本建议的长远目标是研究 大鼠视皮层兴奋性突触的生理学和可塑性。 这里建议研究谷氨酸受体的异质性， 利用新信息和技术管理微型EPSC的过程 根据目前的资助进行的研究。具体而言是 本提案的目的是： L. NMDA受体发育调控的表征- 在大鼠视觉皮层的II-IV层中的通道。 2.大鼠视皮层Ⅱ-Ⅳ层微型EPSC的调控 通过钙、蛋白质磷酸化和促代谢的激活 受体。 3.锥体细胞与非锥体细胞谷氨酸受体的比较 大鼠视觉皮层的II-IV层中的神经元。 了解兴奋性突触如何在视觉皮层中运作， 对理解皮质功能至关重要。然而， 皮层神经元和突触的多样性及其复合体 解剖学上的连接是一个重大的挑战。使用mEPSC可避免 与多突触回路相关的问题， 突触前和突触后机制之间的联系这里提出的实验 将研究操纵的影响，模仿内源性信号， mEPSCs的特性。 获得的结果，根据目前的赠款，使用膜片钳记录 表明NMDA受体经历发育变化， 在锥体神经元中表达的AMPA/红藻氨酸受体不同于 在棘状中间神经元中表达。建议描述 谷氨酸受体特性（例如，单通道电导 敏感性、动力学）， 神经元

The long-term objectives of the present proposal is to study the physiology and plasticity of excitatory synapses in the rat visual cortex. It is proposed here to study glutamate receptor heterogeneity and processes regulating miniature EPSCs using new information and techniques resulting from research done under the current grant. Specifically, the aims of this proposal are: l. Characterization of the developmental regulation of NMDA receptor- channels in layers II-IV of rat visual cortex. 2. Regulation of miniature EPSC in layers II-IV of the rat visual cortex by calcium, protein phosphorylation and activation of metabotropic receptors. 3. Comparison among glutamate receptors in pyramidal and non-pyramidal neurons in layers II-IV of the rat visual cortex. Understanding how excitatory synapses operate in the visual cortex and how they are regulated is critical for understanding cortical function. Yet, the diversity of cortical neurons and synapses and their complex anatomical connections represents a major challenge. Using mEPSCs avoids problems associated with polysynaptic circuits and could distinguish between pre and post synaptic mechanisms. The experiments proposed here would examine the effects of manipulations, mimicking endogenous signals, on the properties of mEPSCs. Results obtained, under the current grant, using patch-clamp recording showed that NMDA receptors undergo developmental changes and that AMPA/Kainate receptors expressed in pyramidal neurons are different than those expressed in aspiny interneurons. It is proposed to characterize glutamate receptor properties (e.g., single-channel conductance; Mg2+ sensitivity, kinetics) during development in morphologically identified neurons.