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. 2008;1(2):153-5.
doi: 10.4161/cib.1.2.7058.

Back-propagating action potential: A key contributor in activity-dependent dendritic release of BDNF

Nicola Kuczewski  1 , Christophe Porcher, Volkmar Lessmann, Igor Medina, Jean-Luc Gaiarsa
Affiliations

Back-propagating action potential: A key contributor in activity-dependent dendritic release of BDNF

Nicola Kuczewski et al. Commun Integr Biol. 2008.

Abstract

Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is crucial for the formation of appropriate synaptic connections during development and for learning and memory in adults. Secretion of this neurotrophin is under activity-dependent control. Understanding which patterns of physiological activity regulate BDNF secretion is therefore an important step in the comprehension of its role. We have recently shown that back propagation of action potentials (bAPs) is the principal triggering mechanism of dendritic BDNF secretion occurring during ongoing neuronal activity in neuronal cultures. In the present addendum we discuss possible implications of bAPs-induced BDNF secretion on the construction and reorganization of neuronal networks.

Keywords: BDNF; acetylcholine; back propagating action potentials; neuromodulation; peptide secretion; synaptic plasticity.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
b-APs trigger dendritic BDNF secretion. Neuron transfected with BDNF-GPF show a dendritic distribution of BDNF into secretory granules. BDNF-GFP release (decreased of granular fluorescence) is triggered by firing activity (right) but not by synaptic activity (left).
Figure 2
Figure 2
BDNF secretion depends on the neuronal output rather than synaptic inputs. Supra-threshold excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) trigger action potentials that back-propagate (b-APs) from the soma to the dendrites. Center: the b-APs induced BDNF secretion and synaptic strengthening. Left: this process can be reinforced by conditions that facilitate the back propagation of APs such as the neuromodulatory action of ACh. Right: when the same supra-threshold glutamatergic activity is generated in a context that prevents APs backpropagation, such as a concomitant activation of dendritic inhibition (GABA), BDNF secretion and synaptic strengthening will not occur.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Modulation of back propagating action potentials can affect memory consolidation through dendritic BDNF release and CREB phosphorylation.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment on

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