On the basis of the above results, we propose that TSPs play an important

role in afferent synapse development and function of the inner ear. “
“There is intensive gap-junctional coupling between glial processes, but their significance in sensory functions remains unknown. Connexin-43 (Cx43), a major component of astrocytic gap-junction channels, is abundantly expressed in astrocytes. To investigate the role of Cx43-mediated gap junctions between astrocytes in sensory functions, we generated Cx43 knockout (KO) mice with a mouse line carrying loxP sites flanking exon 2 of the Cx43 gene and the transgenic selleck screening library line expressing Cre recombinase under control of the glial fibrillary GSI-IX manufacturer acidic protein promoter, which exhibited a significant loss of Cx43 in astrocytes in the barrel cortex. Although Cx43 expression between the astrocytes measured by immunohistochemistry was virtually abolished in Cx43 KO mice, they had normal architecture in the barrel cortex but the intensity of cytochrome oxide histochemistry decreased significantly. In vivo electrophysiological analysis revealed that the long-term potentiation of the vibrissal evoked responses in the barrel cortex evoked by high-frequency rhythmic vibrissal stimuli (100 Hz, 1 s) was abolished in Cx43 KO mice. Current source density analysis also revealed that astrocytic

Cx43 was important to the flow of excitation within the laminar connections in barrel cortex. Behavioral tests showed that the ability of Cx43 KO mice to sense the environment with their whiskers decreased. Even so, the jump-stand experiment showed that they could

still discriminate rough from smooth surfaces. Our findings suggest that Cx43-mediated gap-junctional coupling between astrocytes is important in the neuron–glia interactions required for whisker-related sensory functions and plasticity. “
“Autophagy is emerging as a central regulator of cellular health and disease and, in the central nervous system (CNS), this homeostatic process appears ADP ribosylation factor to influence synaptic growth and plasticity. Herein, we review the evidence that dysregulation of autophagy may contribute to several neurodegenerative diseases of the CNS. Up-regulation of autophagy may prevent, delay or ameliorate at least some of these disorders, and – based on recent findings from our laboratory – we speculate that this goal may be achieved using a safe, simple and inexpensive approach. “
“Callosal projection neurons, one of the major types of projection neurons in the mammalian cerebral cortex, require neuronal activity for their axonal projections [H. Mizuno et al. (2007) J. Neurosci., 27, 6760–6770; C. L. Wang et al. (2007) J. Neurosci., 27, 11334–11342].