BIOMAT Database Logo BIOMAT Database Logo

Synaptic plasticity in vitro: cell culture of identified Aplysia neurons mediating short-term habituation and sensitization. 1986

S G Rayport, and S Schacher

The gill withdrawal reflex of the marine mollusk, Aplysia californica, shows habituation and sensitization, two simple forms of learning. In order to extend the cellular studies on synaptic plasticity underlying the changes in the reflex behavior, and to explore further the development of synaptic plasticity during synapse formation, we have sought to establish the neural circuit of the gill withdrawal reflex in vitro. We report here the reconstruction of the elementary gill withdrawal circuit in cell culture and find that the cells show short-term homosynaptic depression and heterosynaptic facilitation, the cellular mechanisms of habituation and sensitization, respectively.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009474 Neurons The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM. Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D012018 Reflex An involuntary movement or exercise of function in a part, excited in response to a stimulus applied to the periphery and transmitted to the brain or spinal cord.
D002478 Cells, Cultured Cells propagated in vitro in special media conducive to their growth. Cultured cells are used to study developmental, morphologic, metabolic, physiologic, and genetic processes, among others. Cultured Cells,Cell, Cultured,Cultured Cell
D004594 Electrophysiology The study of the generation and behavior of electrical charges in living organisms particularly the nervous system and the effects of electricity on living organisms.
D006185 Habituation, Psychophysiologic The disappearance of responsiveness to a repeated stimulation. It does not include drug habituation. Habituation (Psychophysiology),Habituation, Psychophysiological,Psychophysiologic Habituation,Psychophysiological Habituation,Habituations (Psychophysiology)
D000200 Action Potentials Abrupt changes in the membrane potential that sweep along the CELL MEMBRANE of excitable cells in response to excitation stimuli. Spike Potentials,Nerve Impulses,Action Potential,Impulse, Nerve,Impulses, Nerve,Nerve Impulse,Potential, Action,Potential, Spike,Potentials, Action,Potentials, Spike,Spike Potential
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001048 Aplysia An opisthobranch mollusk of the order Anaspidea. It is used frequently in studies of nervous system development because of its large identifiable neurons. Aplysiatoxin and its derivatives are not biosynthesized by Aplysia, but acquired by ingestion of Lyngbya (seaweed) species. Aplysias
D012701 Serotonin A biochemical messenger and regulator, synthesized from the essential amino acid L-TRYPTOPHAN. In humans it is found primarily in the central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, and blood platelets. Serotonin mediates several important physiological functions including neurotransmission, gastrointestinal motility, hemostasis, and cardiovascular integrity. Multiple receptor families (RECEPTORS, SEROTONIN) explain the broad physiological actions and distribution of this biochemical mediator. 5-HT,5-Hydroxytryptamine,3-(2-Aminoethyl)-1H-indol-5-ol,Enteramine,Hippophaine,Hydroxytryptamine,5 Hydroxytryptamine
D013569 Synapses Specialized junctions at which a neuron communicates with a target cell. At classical synapses, a neuron's presynaptic terminal releases a chemical transmitter stored in synaptic vesicles which diffuses across a narrow synaptic cleft and activates receptors on the postsynaptic membrane of the target cell. The target may be a dendrite, cell body, or axon of another neuron, or a specialized region of a muscle or secretory cell. Neurons may also communicate via direct electrical coupling with ELECTRICAL SYNAPSES. Several other non-synaptic chemical or electric signal transmitting processes occur via extracellular mediated interactions. Synapse

Related Publications

S G Rayport, and S Schacher
Isolated identified Aplysia neurons in cell culture.
July 1981, The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience,
S G Rayport, and S Schacher
[SYNAPTIC PLASTICITY INVOLVED IN THE HABITUATION PROCESS IN APLYSIA].
January 1965, Journal de physiologie,
S G Rayport, and S Schacher
Morphological basis of long-term habituation and sensitization in Aplysia.
April 1983, Science (New York, N.Y.),
S G Rayport, and S Schacher
A common presynaptic locus for the synaptic changes underlying short-term habituation and sensitization of the gill-withdrawal reflex in Aplysia.
January 1976, Cold Spring Harbor symposia on quantitative biology,
S G Rayport, and S Schacher
Morphological basis of short-term habituation in Aplysia.
July 1988, The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience,
S G Rayport, and S Schacher
Long-term synaptic facilitation in the absence of short-term facilitation in Aplysia neurons.
October 1993, Science (New York, N.Y.),
S G Rayport, and S Schacher
Rapid development of synaptic connections and plasticity between sensory neurons and motor neurons of Aplysia in cell culture: implications for learning and regulation of synaptic strength.
May 1997, Journal of neurophysiology,
S G Rayport, and S Schacher
[Short term synaptic plasticity].
January 2002, Revista de neurologia,
S G Rayport, and S Schacher
Short-term synaptic plasticity.
January 1989, Annual review of neuroscience,
S G Rayport, and S Schacher
Short-term synaptic plasticity.
January 2002, Annual review of physiology,
Copied contents to your clipboard!