Postsynaptic TRPC1 function contributes to BDNF-induced synaptic potentiation at the developing neuromuscular junction

Abstract

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) induces synaptic potentiation at both neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) and synapses of the CNS through a Ca 2+-dependent pathway. The molecular mechanism underlying BDNF-induced synaptic potentiation, especially the regulation of Ca 2+dynamics, is not well understood. Using the XenopusNMJin culture as a model system, we show that pharmacological inhibition or morpholino-mediated knockdown of Xenopus TRPC1 (XTRPC1) significantly attenuated the BDNF-induced potentiation of the frequency of spontaneous synaptic responses at the NMJ. Functionally, XTRPC1 was required specifically in postsynaptic myocytes for BDNF-induced Ca 2+ elevation and full synaptic potentiation at the NMJ, suggesting a previously underappreciated postsynaptic function of Ca 2+ signaling in neurotrophin-induced synaptic plasticity, in addition to its well established role at presynaptic sites. Mechanistically, blockade of the p75 neurotrophin receptor abolished BDNF-induced postsynaptic Ca 2+elevation and restricted BDNFinduced synaptic potentiation, while knockdown of the TrkB receptor in postsynaptic myocytes had no effect. Our study suggests that BDNF-induced synaptic potentiation involves coordinated presynaptic and postsynaptic responses and identifies TRPC1 as a molecular mediator for postsynaptic Ca 2+ elevation required for BDNF-induced synaptic plasticity. © 2011 the authors.