Synaptic Plasticity

Synaptic plasticity is crucial for information processing, learning, and memory and also allows neurons to adapt when encountered with perturbations.

We explored how neurons in a convergent circuit respond to dysfunction of neighboring neurons in the Drosophila larval neuromuscular system, where multiple presynaptic motor neurons innervate the same postsynaptic muscles cell (Figure, left panel). Utilizing calcium imaging, electrophysiology and cytochemistry, we found that a presynaptic neuron can structurally and functionally compensate for the loss of an adjacent presynaptic input (Figure, right panel) (Wang et al., 2020).

However, the mechanism(s) underlying this synaptic plasticity is unknown. Specifically, we ask: (1) How does one neuron recognize the loss of a convergent input if there is no known signaling between the two neurons? (2) Is there a retrograde signal triggered by the postsynaptic cell? (3) What changes in the synaptic machinery occur in the remaining neuron to functional compensate?

Additionally, we explore the breadth of this type of synaptic plasticity across several synaptic partners. We found that only a subset of Drosophila motor neurons are able to compensate for loss of a neighboring input, suggesting a target-specific mechanism. Currently we are exploring different neural circuits to better understand synaptic plasticity and how each convergent input responds and adapts to neighboring perturbations.

Stay tuned for more updates and reach out if you have any questions!