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Effects induced by an actin-polymerizing peptide in goldfish mauthner neurons

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Abstract

In goldfishes, we studied (i) manifestations of functional activity of Mauthner neurons (MNs) reflected in motor behavior and (ii) changes in 3-D morphometry (ratio of volumes) and ultrastructure of MNs after applications of an actin-polymerizing peptide obtained from scorpion venom and after vestibular rotational stimulations (trainings) inducing natural modification of functions of the MNs (adaptation). In MNs subjected to application of the peptide, the increase in the functional resistance and morphological stability caused by long-lasting stimulation directly depended on the dose of the applied peptide or on the effectiveness of trainings, whereas in intact and control MNs such stimulation resulted in significant decreases in the activity and volumes of these cells. At the ultrastructure level, both applications of the peptide and trainings caused the formation of extensive bundles of actin filaments (“stress-fibers”) in the cytoplasm of MNs and led to an increase in the dimension of desmosome-like contacts (DLCs) in afferent synapses. At chemical synapses, the effect looked like a reciprocal decrease in the length of the active zones (a structural sign of long-term depression, LTD), while at mixed synapses this was manifested in an increase in the number of fibrillar bridges in the gaps of DLCs (a structural sign of long-term potentiation, LTP). The data obtained allow us to hypothesize that LTD of the efficacy of transmission through chemical synapses is involved in the formation of the adaptation state of the MNs and that polymerization of actin in the cytoplasm and DLCs underlies the mechanism of LTD and adaptation. The development of ultrastructural manifestations of LTP at mixed synapses after polymerization of actin by the peptide, which is related to a reciprocal increase in the efficacy of “mixed” afferent inputs, explains the maintenance of a high integral level of activity of the MNs, despite a drop in the functional activity of “ chemical” afferent inputs. Therefore, the actin cytoskeleton plays a clearly significant role in the maintenance of the balance of excitation at the neuronal level.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow district, Russia

    N. R. Tiras, G. Z. Mikhailova & D. A. Moshkov

  2. Educational Center of Biophysics and Biomedicine at the Pushchino State University, Moscow district, Russia

    D. A. Moshkov

Authors
  1. N. R. Tiras
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  2. G. Z. Mikhailova
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  3. D. A. Moshkov
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Correspondence to N. R. Tiras, G. Z. Mikhailova or D. A. Moshkov.

Additional information

Neirofiziologiya/Neurophysiology, Vol. 38, Nos. 5/6, pp. 389–401, September–December, 2006.

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Tiras, N.R., Mikhailova, G.Z. & Moshkov, D.A. Effects induced by an actin-polymerizing peptide in goldfish mauthner neurons. Neurophysiology 38, 327–337 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11062-006-0067-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11062-006-0067-1

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