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XB-ART-6430
Nature 2002 Oct 03;4196906:475-80. doi: 10.1038/nature00987.
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Dendrite growth increased by visual activity requires NMDA receptor and Rho GTPases.

Sin WC, Haas K, Ruthazer ES, Cline HT.


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Previous studies suggest that neuronal activity may guide the development of synaptic connections in the central nervous system through mechanisms involving glutamate receptors and GTPase-dependent modulation of the actin cytoskeleton. Here we demonstrate by in vivo time-lapse imaging of optic tectal cells in Xenopus laevis tadpoles that enhanced visual activity driven by a light stimulus promotes dendritic arbor growth. The stimulus-induced dendritic arbor growth requires glutamate-receptor-mediated synaptic transmission, decreased RhoA activity and increased Rac and Cdc42 activity. The results delineate a role for Rho GTPases in the structural plasticity driven by visual stimulation in vivo.

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Species referenced: Xenopus laevis
Genes referenced: actl6a akt1 cdc42 rac1 rho rho.2 rhoa