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Polysialylated NCAM and EphrinA/EphA regulate synaptic development of gabaergic interneurons in prefrontal cortex
Cerebral Cortex
  • Leann H. Brennaman, UNC School of Medicine
  • Xuying Zhang, UNC School of Medicine
  • Hanjun Guan, UNC School of Medicine
  • Jason W. Triplett, University of California, Santa Cruz
  • Arthur Brown, Western University
  • Galina P. Demyanenko, UNC School of Medicine
  • Paul B. Manis, Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
  • Lynn Landmesser, Case Western Reserve University
  • Patricia F. Maness, UNC School of Medicine
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2013
URL with Digital Object Identifier
10.1093/cercor/bhr392
Abstract

A novel function for the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) was identified in ephrinA/EphA-mediated repulsion as an important regulatory mechanism for development of GABAergic inhibitory synaptic connections in mouse prefrontal cortex. Deletion of NCAM, EphA3, or ephrinA2/3/5 in null mutant mice increased the numbers and size of perisomatic synapses between GABAergic basket interneurons and pyramidal cells in the developing cingulate cortex (layers II/III). A functional consequence of NCAM loss was increased amplitudes and faster kinetics of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents in NCAM null cingulate cortex. NCAM and EphA3 formed a molecular complex and colocalized with the inhibitory presynaptic marker vesicular GABA transporter (VGAT) in perisomatic puncta and neuropil in the cingulate cortex. EphrinA5 treatment promoted axon remodeling of enhanced green fluorescent protein-labeled basket interneurons in cortical slice cultures and induced growth cone collapse in wild-type but not NCAM null mutant neurons. NCAM modified with polysialic acid (PSA) was required to promote ephrinA5-induced axon remodeling of basket interneurons in cortical slices, likely by providing a permissive environment for ephrinA5/EphA3 signaling. These results reveal a new mechanism in which NCAM and ephrinAs/EphA3 coordinate to constrain GABAergic interneuronal arborization and perisomatic innervation, potentially contributing to excitatory/inhibitory balance in prefrontal cortical circuitry. © 2012 The Author.

Citation Information
Leann H. Brennaman, Xuying Zhang, Hanjun Guan, Jason W. Triplett, et al.. "Polysialylated NCAM and EphrinA/EphA regulate synaptic development of gabaergic interneurons in prefrontal cortex" Cerebral Cortex Vol. 23 Iss. 1 (2013) p. 162 - 177
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/arthur-brown/15/