J Physiol Volume 586, Number 18, 4347-4355, September 15, 2008 DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2008.159202
Synaptic activity, visual experience and the maturation of retinal synaptic circuitry
Ning Tian1
1 Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, and Department of Neurobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
A fundamental feature of the synaptic organization of retina is the laminar-specific structure, in which specific types of retinal neurons form highly selective synapses to transfer distinct synaptic signals. In mature vertebrate retina, the dendrites of most retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are narrowly stratified and ramified in specific strata of the inner plexiform layer (IPL) of retina to synapse with distinct subtypes of bipolar cells (BCs). However, little is known of how retinal neurons form this laminar-specific synaptic structure during development. Recent studies showed that the formation of retinal synaptic circuitry is regulated by both gene expression and neuronal activity. Here I will briefly discuss the recent advances in our understanding of how synaptic activity modulates the maturation of RGC synaptic connections.
(Received 7 July 2008;
accepted after revision 24 July 2008;
first published online 31 July 2008)
Corresponding author N. Tian: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, and Department of Neurobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA. Email: ning.tian{at}yale.edu
This report was presented at The Journal of Physiology Symposium on Retinal ganglion cells in model organisms: development, function and disease, which took place in Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA, 26 April 2008. It was commissioned by the Editorial Board and reflects the views of the authors.
Copyright © 2008 The Physiological Society.
