Synapsin III is a synaptic vesicle-associated protein that is expressed in cells of the subgranular layer of the hippocampal dentate gyrus, a brain region known to sustain substantial levels of neurogenesis into adulthood. Here we tested the hypothesis that synapsin III plays a role in adult neurogenesis with synapsin III knockout and wild-type mice. Immunocytochemistry of the adult hippocampal dentate gyrus revealed that synapsin III colocalizes with markers of neural progenitor cell development (nestin, PSA-NCAM, NeuN, and Tuj1) but did not colocalize with markers of mitosis (Ki67 and PCNA). Because neurogenesis consists of a number of stages, the proliferation, survival, and differentiation of neural progenitor cells were systematically quantitated in the hippocampal dentate gyrus of adult synapsin III knockout and wild-type mice. We found a 30% decrease in proliferation and a 55% increase in survival of neural progenitor cells in synapsin III knockout mice. We also observed a 6% increase in the number of neural progenitor cells that differentiated into neurons. No difference in the volume of the dentate gyrus was observed between synapsin III knockout and wild-type mice. Collectively, our results demonstrate a novel role for synapsin III in regulating the proliferation of neural progenitor cells in the adult hippocampal dentate gyrus. These findings suggest a distinct function for this synaptic vesicle protein, in addition to its role in neurotransmission.
Pubmed ID: 18271024 RIS Download
Publication data is provided by the National Library of Medicine ® and PubMed ®. Data is retrieved from PubMed ® on a weekly schedule. For terms and conditions see the National Library of Medicine Terms and Conditions.
This unknown targets BrdU
View all literature mentionsThis monoclonal targets Neuronal Class III beta-Tubulin (TUJ1) Purified
View all literature mentionsThis monoclonal targets MOUSE ANTI RAT RECA-1
View all literature mentionsThis polyclonal targets Neurokinin B Receptor
View all literature mentionsThis monoclonal targets Ki-67
View all literature mentionsThis monoclonal targets PCNA (PC10)
View all literature mentionsThis monoclonal targets Nestin
View all literature mentionsThis monoclonal targets Polysialic Acid-NCAM (PSA-NCAM)
View all literature mentionsThis monoclonal targets Neuronal Class III beta-Tubulin (TUJ1) Purified
View all literature mentions