There has been considerable controversy about pre- versus postsynaptic expression of memory-related long-term potentiation (LTP), with corresponding disputes about underlying mechanisms. We report here an instance in male mice, in which both types of potentiation are expressed but in separate branches of the same hippocampal afferent. Induction of LTP in the dentate gyrus (DG) branch of the lateral perforant path (LPP) reduces paired-pulse facilitation, is blocked by antagonism of cannabinoid receptor type 1, and is not affected by suppression of postsynaptic actin polymerization. These observations are consistent with presynaptic expression. The opposite pattern of results was obtained in the LPP branch that innervates the distal dendrites of CA3: LTP did not reduce paired-pulse facilitation, was unaffected by the cannabinoid receptor blocker, and required postsynaptic actin filament assembly. Differences in the two LPP termination sites were also noted for frequency facilitation of synaptic responses, an effect that was reproduced in a two-step simulation by small adjustments to vesicle release dynamics. These results indicate that different types of glutamatergic neurons impose different forms of filtering and synaptic plasticity on their afferents. They also suggest that inputs are routed to, and encoded by, different sites within the hippocampus depending upon the pattern of activity arriving over the parent axon.
Despite its evident importance to learning theory and models, the manner in which the lateral perforant path (LPP) transforms signals from entorhinal cortex to hippocampus is not well understood. The present studies measured synaptic responses in the dentate gyrus (DG) of adult mouse hippocampal slices during different patterns of LPP stimulation. Theta (5 Hz) stimulation produced a modest within‐train facilitation that was markedly enhanced at the level of DG output. Gamma (50 Hz) activation resulted in a singular pattern with initial synaptic facilitation being followed by a progressively greater depression. DG output was absent after only two pulses. Reducing release probability with low extracellular calcium instated frequency facilitation to gamma stimulation while long‐term potentiation, which increases release by LPP terminals, enhanced within‐train depression. Relatedly, per terminal concentrations of VGLUT2, a vesicular glutamate transporter associated with high release probability, were much greater in the LPP than in CA3–CA1 connections. Attempts to circumvent the potent gamma filter using a series of short (three‐pulse) 50 Hz trains spaced by 200 ms were only partially successful: composite responses were substantially reduced after the first burst, an effect opposite to that recorded in field CA1. The interaction between bursts was surprisingly persistent (>1.0 s). Low calcium improved throughput during theta/gamma activation but buffering of postsynaptic calcium did not. In all, presynaptic specializations relating to release probability produce an unusual but potent type of frequency filtering in the LPP. Patterned burst input engages a different type of filter with substrates that are also likely to be located presynaptically.
The lateral perforant path (LPP)–dentate gyrus (DG) synapse operates as a low‐pass filter, where responses to a train of 50 Hz, γ frequency activation are greatly suppressed. Activation with brief bursts of γ frequency information engages a secondary filter that persists for prolonged periods (lasting seconds). Both forms of LPP frequency filtering are influenced by presynaptic, as opposed to postsynaptic, processes; this contrasts with other hippocampal synapses. LPP frequency filtering is modified by the unique presynaptic long‐term potentiation at this synapse. Computational simulations indicate that presynaptic factors associated with release probability and vesicle recycling may underlie the potent LPP–DG frequency filtering.
- NSF-PAR ID:
- 10444523
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley-Blackwell
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- The Journal of Physiology
- Volume:
- 600
- Issue:
- 16
- ISSN:
- 0022-3751
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- p. 3865-3896
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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image Key points A simplified activity‐based model of the preBötC generates inspiratory and sigh rhythms from a single neuron population.
Inspiration is attributable to a canonical excitatory network oscillator mechanism.
Sigh emerges from intracellular calcium signalling.
The model predicts that perturbations of calcium uptake and release across the endoplasmic reticulum counterintuitively accelerate and decelerate sigh rhythmicity, respectively, which was experimentally validated.
Vertebrate evolution may have adapted existing intracellular signalling mechanisms to produce slow oscillations needed to optimize pulmonary function in mammals.
