New ways of looking at synapses.
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New ways of looking at synapses. / Frotscher, Michael; Zhao, Shanting; Graber, Werner; Drakew, Alexander; Studer, Daniel.
In: HISTOCHEM CELL BIOL, Vol. 128, No. 2, 2, 2007, p. 91-96.Research output: SCORING: Contribution to journal › SCORING: Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - New ways of looking at synapses.
AU - Frotscher, Michael
AU - Zhao, Shanting
AU - Graber, Werner
AU - Drakew, Alexander
AU - Studer, Daniel
PY - 2007
Y1 - 2007
N2 - Current concepts of synaptic fine-structure are derived from electron microscopic studies of tissue fixed by chemical fixation using aldehydes. However, chemical fixation with glutaraldehyde and paraformaldehyde and subsequent dehydration in ethanol result in uncontrolled tissue shrinkage. While electron microscopy allows for the unequivocal identification of synaptic contacts, it cannot be used for real-time analysis of structural changes at synapses. For the latter purpose advanced fluorescence microscopy techniques are to be applied which, however, do not allow for the identification of synaptic contacts. Here, two approaches are described that may overcome, at least in part, some of these drawbacks in the study of synapses. By focusing on a characteristic, easily identifiable synapse, the mossy fiber synapse in the hippocampus, we first describe high-pressure freezing of fresh tissue as a method that may be applied to study subtle changes in synaptic ultrastructure associated with functional synaptic plasticity. Next, we propose to label presynaptic mossy fiber terminals and postsynaptic complex spines on CA3 pyramidal neurons by different fluorescent dyes to allow for the real-time monitoring of these synapses in living tissue over extended periods of time. We expect these approaches to lead to new insights into the structure and function of central synapses.
AB - Current concepts of synaptic fine-structure are derived from electron microscopic studies of tissue fixed by chemical fixation using aldehydes. However, chemical fixation with glutaraldehyde and paraformaldehyde and subsequent dehydration in ethanol result in uncontrolled tissue shrinkage. While electron microscopy allows for the unequivocal identification of synaptic contacts, it cannot be used for real-time analysis of structural changes at synapses. For the latter purpose advanced fluorescence microscopy techniques are to be applied which, however, do not allow for the identification of synaptic contacts. Here, two approaches are described that may overcome, at least in part, some of these drawbacks in the study of synapses. By focusing on a characteristic, easily identifiable synapse, the mossy fiber synapse in the hippocampus, we first describe high-pressure freezing of fresh tissue as a method that may be applied to study subtle changes in synaptic ultrastructure associated with functional synaptic plasticity. Next, we propose to label presynaptic mossy fiber terminals and postsynaptic complex spines on CA3 pyramidal neurons by different fluorescent dyes to allow for the real-time monitoring of these synapses in living tissue over extended periods of time. We expect these approaches to lead to new insights into the structure and function of central synapses.
KW - Animals
KW - Humans
KW - Synapses physiology
KW - Mossy Fibers, Hippocampal physiology
KW - Cryoultramicrotomy
KW - Hippocampus enzymology
KW - Animals
KW - Humans
KW - Synapses physiology
KW - Mossy Fibers, Hippocampal physiology
KW - Cryoultramicrotomy
KW - Hippocampus enzymology
M3 - SCORING: Zeitschriftenaufsatz
VL - 128
SP - 91
EP - 96
JO - HISTOCHEM CELL BIOL
JF - HISTOCHEM CELL BIOL
SN - 0948-6143
IS - 2
M1 - 2
ER -
