Glutamate-Dependent Neuroglial Calcium Signaling Differs Between Young and Adult Brain

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Wei Sun, Emory University; Evan McConnell, University of Rochester; Jean-Francois Pare, Emory University; Qiwu Xu, University of Rochester; Michael Chen, University of Rochester; Weiguo Peng, University of Rochester; Ditte Lovatt, University of Rochester; Xiaoning Han, University of Rochester; Yoland Smith, Emory University; Maiken Nedergaard, University of Rochester
• Language: English
• Date: 2013-01-11
• Publisher: Volgogradskii Gosudarstvennyi Universitet (Volgograd State University)
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: Copyright © 2013, American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1226740
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Вестник Волгоградского государственног... / Science Journal of Volgograd State University. History. Area Studies. International Relations
• ISSN: 1998-9938
• Volume: 339
• Issue: 6116
• Start Page: 197
• End Page: 200
• Grant/Funding Information: This work was supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH (NS075177 and NS078304); the NIH National Center for Research Resources base grant of the Yerkes National Primate Research Center (RR00165); and the National Center for Research Resources P51RR000165 the Office of Research Infrastructure Programs/OD P51OD011132 to the Yerkes National Primate Research Center; and an American Heart Association Predoctoral Fellowship (12PRE12030048).
• Keywords: GLIA; COMMUNICATION; IN-VIVO; Science & Technology; NEURONS; SYNAPSES; TRANSCRIPTOME; Science & Technology - Other Topics; ASTROCYTES; REGULATORS; CORTEX; Multidisciplinary Sciences; MODULATION
• Research Categories: Biology, Neuroscience

Abstract

An extensive literature shows that astrocytes exhibit metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5)-dependent increases in cytosolic calcium ions (Ca2+) in response to glutamatergic transmission and, in turn, modulate neuronal activity by their Ca2+-dependent release of gliotransmitters. These findings, based on studies of young rodents, have led to the concept of the tripartite synapse, in which astrocytes actively participate in neurotransmission. Using genomic analysis, immunoelectron microscopy, and two-photon microscopy of astrocytic Ca2+ signaling in vivo, we found that astrocytic expression of mGluR5 is developmentally regulated and is undetectable after postnatal week 3. In contrast, mGluR3, whose activation inhibits adenylate cyclase but not calcium signaling, was expressed in astrocytes at all developmental stages. Neuroglial signaling in the adult brain may therefore occur in a manner fundamentally distinct from that exhibited during development.