Presynaptic endoplasmic reticulum regulates short-term plasticity in hippocampal synapses

Commun Biol. 2021 Feb 23;4(1):241. doi: 10.1038/s42003-021-01761-7.

Abstract

Short-term plasticity preserves a brief history of synaptic activity that is communicated to the postsynaptic neuron. This is primarily regulated by a calcium signal initiated by voltage dependent calcium channels in the presynaptic terminal. Imaging studies of CA3-CA1 synapses reveal the presence of another source of calcium, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in all presynaptic terminals. However, the precise role of the ER in modifying STP remains unexplored. We performed in-silico experiments in synaptic geometries based on reconstructions of the rat CA3-CA1 synapses to investigate the contribution of ER. Our model predicts that presynaptic ER is critical in generating the observed short-term plasticity profile of CA3-CA1 synapses and allows synapses with low release probability to operate more reliably. Blocking the ER lowers facilitation in a manner similar to what has been previously characterized in animal models of Alzheimer's disease and underscores the important role played by presynaptic stores in normal function.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CA1 Region, Hippocampal / physiology
  • CA3 Region, Hippocampal / physiology
  • Calcium Channels / metabolism
  • Calcium Signaling
  • Computer Simulation
  • Electrical Synapses / metabolism
  • Electrical Synapses / physiology*
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / metabolism
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / physiology*
  • Hippocampus / metabolism
  • Hippocampus / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Models, Neurological*
  • Monte Carlo Method
  • Neuronal Plasticity*
  • Presynaptic Terminals / metabolism
  • Presynaptic Terminals / physiology*
  • Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases / metabolism
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Calcium Channels
  • Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases