PUBLICATION

Lamination Speeds the Functional Development of Visual Circuits

Authors

Nikolaou, N., Meyer, M.P.

ID

ZDB-PUB-151127-8

Date

2015

Source

Neuron 88(5): 999-1013 (Journal)

Registered Authors

Meyer, Martin, Nikolaou, Nikolas

Keywords

none

MeSH Terms

Zebrafish Proteins/genetics
Zebrafish Proteins/metabolism
Larva
Visual Pathways/physiology*
Electroporation
Retina/cytology*
Retina/growth & development
Retinal Ganglion Cells/metabolism
Animals, Genetically Modified
Animals
Receptors, Immunologic/genetics
Receptors, Immunologic/metabolism
Orientation/physiology*
Superior Colliculi/cytology*
Superior Colliculi/growth & development
Mutation/genetics
Nerve Net/physiology*
Zebrafish
Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental/genetics
Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental/physiology*

PubMed

26607001 Full text @ Neuron

Abstract

A common feature of the brain is the arrangement of synapses in layers. To examine the significance of this organizational feature, we studied the functional development of direction-selective (DS) circuits in the tectum of astray mutant zebrafish in which lamination of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons is lost. We show that although never laminar, the tuning of DS-RGC axons targeting the mutant tectum is normal. Analysis of mutant tectal neurons at late developmental stages reveals that directional tuning is indistinguishable from wild-type larvae. Furthermore, we show that structural plasticity of tectal dendrites and RGC axons compensates for the loss of lamination, establishing connectivity between DS-RGCs and their normal tectal targets. However, tectal direction selectivity is severely perturbed at earlier developmental stages. Thus, the formation of synaptic laminae is ultimately dispensable for the correct wiring of direction-selective tectal circuits, but it is crucial for the rapid assembly of these networks. VIDEO ABSTRACT.

Genes / Markers

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