Destabilization of cortical dendrites and spines by BDNF

Particle-mediated gene transfer and two-photon microscopy were used to monitor the behavior of dendrites of individual cortical pyramidal neurons coexpressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). While the dendrites and spines of neurons expressing GFP alone...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Neuron (Cambridge, Mass.) Mass.), 1999-06, Vol.23 (2), p.353-364
Main Authors: Horch, H W, Krüttgen, A, Portbury, S D, Katz, L C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor - biosynthesis
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor - physiology
Carbazoles - metabolism
Dendrites - metabolism
Dendrites - physiology
Dendrites - ultrastructure
Ferrets
Green Fluorescent Proteins
Immunohistochemistry
In Vitro Techniques
Indole Alkaloids
Luminescent Proteins - biosynthesis
Nerve Growth Factor - biosynthesis
Pyramidal Cells - metabolism
Pyramidal Cells - physiology
Pyramidal Cells - ultrastructure
Receptor, Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor - biosynthesis
Transfection
Visual Cortex - cytology
Visual Cortex - metabolism
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Summary:Particle-mediated gene transfer and two-photon microscopy were used to monitor the behavior of dendrites of individual cortical pyramidal neurons coexpressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). While the dendrites and spines of neurons expressing GFP alone grew modestly over 24-48 hr, coexpressing BDNF elicited dramatic sprouting of basal dendrites, accompanied by a regression of dendritic spines. Compared to GFP-transfected controls, the newly formed dendrites and spines were highly unstable. Experiments utilizing Trk receptor bodies, K252a, and overexpression of nerve growth factor (NGF) demonstrated that these effects were mediated by secreted BDNF interacting with extracellular TrkB receptors. Thus, BDNF induces structural instability in dendrites and spines, which, when restricted to particular portions of a dendritic arbor, may help translate activity patterns into specific morphological changes.
ISSN:0896-6273
DOI:10.1016/s0896-6273(00)80785-0