Cited by 179Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchAdvanced Electron Microscopy Techniques and ApplicationsMemory and Neural Mechanisms

Deconstructing complexity: serial block-face electron microscopic analysis of the hippocampal mossy fiber synapse

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Wilke, Scott A., Antonios, Joseph K., Bushong, Eric A., Badkoobehi, Ali, Malek, Elmar, Hwang, Minju, Terada, Masako, Ellisman, Mark H. +1 more·2013·The Journal of Neuroscience

Abstract

The hippocampal mossy fiber (MF) terminal is among the largest and most complex synaptic structures in the brain. Our understanding of the development of this morphologically elaborate structure has been limited because of the inability of standard electron microscopy techniques to quickly and accurately reconstruct large volumes of neuropil. Here we use serial block-face electron microscopy (SBEM) to surmount these limitations and investigate the establishment of MF connectivity during mouse postnatal development. Based on volume reconstructions, we find that MF axons initially form bouton-like specializations directly onto dendritic shafts, that dendritic protrusions primarily arise independently of bouton contact sites, and that a dramatic increase in presynaptic and postsynaptic complexity follows the association of MF boutons with CA3 dendritic protrusions. We also identify a transient period of MF bouton filopodial exploration, followed by refinement of sites of synaptic connectivity. These observations enhance our understanding of the development of this highly specialized synapse and illustrate the power of SBEM to resolve details of developing microcircuits at a level not easily attainable with conventional approaches.

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Authors
Wilke, S. A., Antonios, J. K., Bushong, E. A., Badkoobehi, A., Malek, E., Hwang, M., Terada, M., Ellisman, M. H., & Ghosh, A.
Affiliations
  • University of California San Diego (US)
  • F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG (CH)
Venue
The Journal of Neuroscience
Published
2013-01-09
Volume
33
Issue
2
Pages
507-522
ISSN
  • 0270-6474 (ISSN-L)
  • 1529-2401
OpenAlex
W2143454033
Cited by
179
References
38
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 18 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 18 · 2015: 17 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 4
FWCI
8.51
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Neuroscience (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (NS064124)
  • National Institute of General Medical Sciences (T32GM007198)
  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (R01NS064124, NS064124)
  • National Center for Research Resources (P41RR004050)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Structural Biology › Advanced Electron Microscopy Techniques and Applications
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
Keywords
mossy fiber synapses, hippocampus, CA3, synaptic development, postnatal development, boutons, dendritic protrusions, filopodia, synapse refinement, volume reconstruction, mice
MeSH terms
Animals, Animals, Newborn, Axons, Dendrites, Image Processing, Computer-Assisted, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Microscopy, Electron, Nerve Fibers, Pseudopodia, Quality Control, Software, Synapses, Presynaptic Terminals, Neuropil, Mossy Fibers, Hippocampal, Mice

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