Channelrhodopsin as a tool to investigate synaptic transmission and plasticity.

TY - JOUR

T1 - Channelrhodopsin as a tool to investigate synaptic transmission and plasticity.

AU - Schoenenberger, Philipp

AU - Schärer, Yan-Ping Zhang

AU - Oertner, Thomas G.

PY - 2011

Y1 - 2011

N2 - The light-gated cation channel channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) has been used in a variety of model systems to investigate the function of complex neuronal networks by stimulation of genetically targeted neurons. In slice physiology, ChR2 opens the door to novel types of experiments and greatly extends the technical possibilities offered by traditional electrophysiology. In this short review, we first consider several technical aspects concerning the use of ChR2 in slice physiology, providing examples from our own work. More specifically, we discuss differences between light-evoked action potentials and spontaneous or electrically induced action potentials. Our work implies that light-evoked action potentials are associated with increased calcium influx and a very high probability of neurotransmitter release. Furthermore, we point out the factors limiting the spatial resolution of ChR2 activation. Secondly, we discuss how synaptic transmission and plasticity can be studied using ChR2. Postsynaptic depolarization induced by ChR2 can be combined with two-photon glutamate uncaging to potentiate visually identified dendritic spines. ChR2-mediated stimulation of presynaptic axons induces neurotransmitter release and reliably activates postsynaptic spines. In conclusion, ChR2 is a powerful tool to investigate activity-dependent changes in structure and function of synapses.

AB - The light-gated cation channel channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) has been used in a variety of model systems to investigate the function of complex neuronal networks by stimulation of genetically targeted neurons. In slice physiology, ChR2 opens the door to novel types of experiments and greatly extends the technical possibilities offered by traditional electrophysiology. In this short review, we first consider several technical aspects concerning the use of ChR2 in slice physiology, providing examples from our own work. More specifically, we discuss differences between light-evoked action potentials and spontaneous or electrically induced action potentials. Our work implies that light-evoked action potentials are associated with increased calcium influx and a very high probability of neurotransmitter release. Furthermore, we point out the factors limiting the spatial resolution of ChR2 activation. Secondly, we discuss how synaptic transmission and plasticity can be studied using ChR2. Postsynaptic depolarization induced by ChR2 can be combined with two-photon glutamate uncaging to potentiate visually identified dendritic spines. ChR2-mediated stimulation of presynaptic axons induces neurotransmitter release and reliably activates postsynaptic spines. In conclusion, ChR2 is a powerful tool to investigate activity-dependent changes in structure and function of synapses.

KW - Animals

KW - Humans

KW - Light

KW - Action Potentials/physiology

KW - Evoked Potentials/physiology

KW - Ligand-Gated Ion Channels/physiology

KW - Neuronal Plasticity/physiology

KW - Neurons/physiology

KW - Neurotransmitter Agents/metabolism/physiology

KW - Rhodopsin/physiology

KW - Synaptic Transmission/physiology

KW - Animals

KW - Humans

KW - Light

KW - Action Potentials/physiology

KW - Evoked Potentials/physiology

KW - Ligand-Gated Ion Channels/physiology

KW - Neuronal Plasticity/physiology

KW - Neurons/physiology

KW - Neurotransmitter Agents/metabolism/physiology

KW - Rhodopsin/physiology

KW - Synaptic Transmission/physiology

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

VL - 96

SP - 34

EP - 39

IS - 1

M1 - 1

ER -