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

142 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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