Loss of cadherin-11 adhesion receptor enhances plastic changes in hippocampal synapses and modifies behavioral responses

Toshiya Manabe, Hideru Togashi, Naoshige Uchida, Sachihiro C. Suzuki, Yoshizumi Hayakawa, Masaru Yamamoto, Hiroki Yoda, Tsuyoshi Miyakawa, Masatoshi Takeichi, Osamu Chisaka

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

141 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Cadherins organize symmetrical junctions between the pre- and postsynaptic membranes in central synapses. One of them, cadherin-11 (cad11), is expressed in the limbic system of the brain, most strongly in the hippocampus. Immunohistochemical studies of the hippocampus showed that cad11 proteins were densely distributed in its synaptic neuropil zones; in cultured hippocampal neurons, their distribution often overlapped with that of synaptophysin, and also occasionally with that of GluR1 at spines. To assess the role of cad11 in synaptic formation and/or function, we analyzed brains of cad11-deficient mice. In these mice, long-term potentiation (LTP) in the CA1 region of the hippocampus was, unexpectedly, enhanced; and the level of LTP saturation was increased. In behavioral tests, the mutant mice showed reduced fear-or anxiety-related responses. These results suggest that the cad11-mediated junctions may modulate synaptic efficacy, confining its dynamic changes to a limited range, or these junctions are required for normal development of synaptic organization in the hippocampus.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)534-546
Number of pages13
JournalMolecular and Cellular Neurosciences
Volume15
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 06-2000
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology

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