Direct imaging of lateral movements of AMPA receptors inside synapses
1. EMBO J. 2003 Sep 15;22(18):4656-65.
Direct imaging of lateral movements of AMPA receptors inside synapses.
Tardin C(1), Cognet L, Bats C, Lounis B, Choquet D.
Author information:
(1)Centre de Physique Moléculaire Optique et Hertzienne – CNRS UMR 5798 et
Université Bordeaux 1, 351 Cours de la Libération, 33405 Talence, France.
Trafficking of AMPA receptors in and out of synapses is crucial for synaptic
plasticity. Previous studies have focused on the role of endo/exocytosis
processes or that of lateral diffusion of extra-synaptic receptors. We have now
directly imaged AMPAR movements inside and outside synapses of live neurons using
single-molecule fluorescence microscopy. Inside individual synapses, we found
immobile and mobile receptors, which display restricted diffusion. Extra-synaptic
receptors display free diffusion. Receptors could also exchange between these
membrane compartments through lateral diffusion. Glutamate application increased
both receptor mobility inside synapses and the fraction of mobile receptors
present in a juxtasynaptic region. Block of inhibitory transmission to favor
excitatory synaptic activity induced a transient increase in the fraction of
mobile receptors and a decrease in the proportion of juxtasynaptic receptors.
Altogether, our data show that rapid exchange of receptors between a synaptic and
extra-synaptic localization occurs through regulation of receptor diffusion
inside synapses.
DOI: 10.1093/emboj/cdg463
PMCID: PMC212729
PMID: 12970178 [Indexed for MEDLINE]