SYNPLA, a method to identify synapses displaying plasticity after learning
Abstract
When an animal forms a memory, synapses in specific brain pathways change their strength. Pinpointing which synapses and pathways are modulated in any given learning paradigm, however, is technically challenging and needs to be performed one candidate connection at a time. Here we present SYNPLA, a tool to quickly detect strengthened synapses in genetically or anatomically defined pathways across the brain. To do so, we exploit the temporary translocation of AMPA receptor GluA1 into newly strengthened synapses. Using an assay that can identify proteins less than 40 nm away, we label only synapses that contain both GluA1 and a presynaptic protein exogenously expressed in a specific pathway. SYNPLA thus provides a pathway- and synapse-specific screening tool for memory formation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Jan 23, 2020
- Source ID
- 10.1073/pnas.1919911117
Entities
People
- Anthony Zador
- Huiqing Zhan
- Jose Soria Lopez
- Justus M. Kebschull
- Kim Dore
- Roberto Malinow
- Sabina Merrill
- Sage Aronson
- Sanchari Ghosh
- Yvonne Pao
Organizations
- Brain Research Foundation
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
- Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity
- National Institute of Mental Health
- National Institutes of Health
- Stanford University
- University of California, San Diego
- Watson School of Biological Sciences