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The principal neurons of the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body and NG2(+) glial cells receive coordinated excitatory synaptic input

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Item Type:Article
Title:The principal neurons of the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body and NG2(+) glial cells receive coordinated excitatory synaptic input
Creators Name:Mueller, J. and Reyes-Haro, D. and Pivneva, T. and Nolte, C. and Schaette, R. and Luebke, J. and Kettenmann, H.
Abstract:Glial cell processes are part of the synaptic structure and sense spillover of transmitter, while some glial cells can even receive direct synaptic input. Here, we report that a defined type of glial cell in the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB) receives excitatory glutamatergic synaptic input from the calyx of Held (CoH). This giant glutamatergic terminal forms an axosomatic synapse with a single principal neuron located in the MNTB. The NG2 glia, as postsynaptic principal neurons, establish synapse-like structures with the CoH terminal. In contrast to the principal neurons, which are known to receive excitatory as well as inhibitory inputs, the NG2 glia receive mostly, if not exclusively, alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-isoxazole-4-propionic acid receptor-mediated evoked and spontaneous synaptic input. Simultaneous recordings from neurons and NG2 glia indicate that they partially receive synchronized spontaneous input. This shows that an NG2(+) glial cell and a postsynaptic neuron share presynaptic terminals.
Keywords:Astrocytes, Auditory Pathways, Brain Stem, Green Fluorescent Proteins, Immunohistochemistry, Electron Microscopy, Neuroglia, Neurons, AMPA Receptors, Signal Transduction, Synaptic Transmission, Animals, Mice
Source:Journal of General Physiology
ISSN:0022-1295
Publisher:Rockefeller University Press
Volume:134
Number:2
Page Range:115-127
Date:August 2009
Official Publication:https://doi.org/10.1085/jgp.200910194
PubMed:View item in PubMed

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