Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Brain Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.
J Physiol Investig. 2024 Sep 1;67(5):242-248. doi: 10.4103/ejpi.EJPI-D-24-00062. Epub 2024 Sep 17.
Interstitial pH fluctuations occur normally in the brain and significantly modulate neuronal functions. Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs), which serve as neuronal acid chemosensors, play important roles in synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory. However, the specific mechanisms by which ASICs influence neurotransmission remain elusive. Here, we report that ASICs modulate transmitter release and axonal excitability at a glutamatergic synapse in the rat and mouse hippocampus. Blocking ASIC1a channels with the tarantula peptide psalmotoxin 1 down-regulates basal transmission and alters short-term plasticity. Notably, the effect of psalmotoxin 1 on ASIC-mediated modulation is age-dependent, occurring only during a limited postnatal period (postnatal weeks 2-6). This finding suggests that protons, through the activation of ASICs, may act as modulators in synapse formation and maturation during early development.
脑内正常存在间质 pH 波动，可显著调节神经元功能。酸敏感离子通道（ASICs）作为神经元酸化学感受器，在突触可塑性、学习和记忆中发挥重要作用。然而，ASICs 影响神经递质传递的具体机制仍不清楚。在这里，我们报告 ASICs 可调节大鼠和小鼠海马体谷氨酸能突触处的递质释放和轴突兴奋性。使用狼蛛肽 psalmotoxin 1 阻断 ASIC1a 通道可下调基础传递并改变短期可塑性。值得注意的是，psalmotoxin 1 对 ASIC 介导的调制的影响具有年龄依赖性，仅在有限的出生后时期（出生后第 2-6 周）发生。这一发现表明，质子通过激活 ASICs，可能在早期发育过程中作为突触形成和成熟的调节剂。
