Glycine-receptor activation is required for receptor clustering in spinal neurons

摘要: The ability of nerve cells to receive up several thousands synaptic inputs from other neurons provides the anatomical basis for information processing in vertebrate brain. formation functional synapses involves selective clustering neurotransmitter receptors at presumptive postsynaptic regions neuronal plasma membrane1,2,3,4. Receptor-associated proteins are believed be crucial this process. In spinal neurons, targeting inhibitory glycine receptor (GlyR)5,6 depends on expression anchoring protein gephyrin7,8,9. Here we show that competitive GlyR antagonist strychnine and L-type Ca2+-channel blockers inhibit accumulation gephyrin membrane areas cultured rat neurons. Our data consistent with a model which activation results Ca2+ influx is required developing sites. Similar activity-driven mechanisms may general importance synaptogenesis.