Lab
Washbourne Lab
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Statement of Research Interest
Information is exchanged between neurons at synapses, which are essentially
specialized sites of cell-cell adhesion . A mature synapse is defined as an
accumulation of synaptic vesicles within the axon, in close apposition to a
dendritic membrane studded with receptors,which are held in place by a
submembranous scaffold (Sheng and Kim, 2002). The formation of such an
intercellular structure requires spatially and temporally controlled changes
in morphology and molecular content at sites of contacts. Recent advances in
subcellular fluorescence microscopy have revealed that this process involves
the rapid recruitment and stabilization of both pre- and postsynaptic
elements. These studies have shown that major components of the synaptic
vesicle and active zone machinery travel in clusters together with other
presynaptic proteins, such as calcium channels, and are rapidly recruited to
new sites of contact (Ahmari et al., 2000; Zhai et al., 2001; Washbourne et
al., 2002).
On the postsynaptic side, receptor subunits and components of the scaffold
or post-synaptic density (PSD) are recruited separately and with distinct
time courses within minutes to hours after initial contact (Friedman et al.,
2000; Bresler et al., 2001; Washbourne et al., 2002; Bresler et al., 2004)
Despite these advances the basic mechanisms by which synapse formation is
induced at discrete locations and by which the molecular machinery is
recruited to sites of contact remain elusive. We are currently using both
mammalian primary neuronal cultures and zebrafish embryos to investigate
molecules that are involved in the mechanisms of synapse formation.
Techniques currently employed are live confocal imaging of
fluorescently-tagged synaptic components, electron microscopy, biochemistry
and molecular biology.
specialized sites of cell-cell adhesion . A mature synapse is defined as an
accumulation of synaptic vesicles within the axon, in close apposition to a
dendritic membrane studded with receptors,which are held in place by a
submembranous scaffold (Sheng and Kim, 2002). The formation of such an
intercellular structure requires spatially and temporally controlled changes
in morphology and molecular content at sites of contacts. Recent advances in
subcellular fluorescence microscopy have revealed that this process involves
the rapid recruitment and stabilization of both pre- and postsynaptic
elements. These studies have shown that major components of the synaptic
vesicle and active zone machinery travel in clusters together with other
presynaptic proteins, such as calcium channels, and are rapidly recruited to
new sites of contact (Ahmari et al., 2000; Zhai et al., 2001; Washbourne et
al., 2002).
On the postsynaptic side, receptor subunits and components of the scaffold
or post-synaptic density (PSD) are recruited separately and with distinct
time courses within minutes to hours after initial contact (Friedman et al.,
2000; Bresler et al., 2001; Washbourne et al., 2002; Bresler et al., 2004)
Despite these advances the basic mechanisms by which synapse formation is
induced at discrete locations and by which the molecular machinery is
recruited to sites of contact remain elusive. We are currently using both
mammalian primary neuronal cultures and zebrafish embryos to investigate
molecules that are involved in the mechanisms of synapse formation.
Techniques currently employed are live confocal imaging of
fluorescently-tagged synaptic components, electron microscopy, biochemistry
and molecular biology.
Lab Members
| Easley, Courtney Graduate Student | Hoy, Jennifer Graduate Student | Beadle, Keith Research Staff |
| Constable, John Research Staff |