Activity-dependent Modulation of Synapse-regulating Genes in Astrocytes

Overview

Journal Elife

Specialty Biology

Date 2021 Sep 8

PMID 34494546

Citations 49

Authors

Isabella Farhy-Tselnicker

Matthew M Boisvert

Hanqing Liu

Cari Dowling

Galina A Erikson

Elena Blanco-Suarez

Chen Farhy

Maxim N Shokhirev

Joseph R Ecker

Nicola J Allen

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Astrocytes regulate the formation and function of neuronal synapses via multiple signals; however, what controls regional and temporal expression of these signals during development is unknown. We determined the expression profile of astrocyte synapse-regulating genes in the developing mouse visual cortex, identifying astrocyte signals that show differential temporal and layer-enriched expression. These patterns are not intrinsic to astrocytes, but regulated by visually evoked neuronal activity, as they are absent in mice lacking glutamate release from thalamocortical terminals. Consequently, synapses remain immature. Expression of synapse-regulating genes and synaptic development is also altered when astrocyte signaling is blunted by diminishing calcium release from astrocyte stores. Single-nucleus RNA sequencing identified groups of astrocytic genes regulated by neuronal and astrocyte activity, and a cassette of genes that show layer-specific enrichment. Thus, the development of cortical circuits requires coordinated signaling between astrocytes and neurons, highlighting astrocytes as a target to manipulate in neurodevelopmental disorders.

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