Establishing precise synaptic connections is crucial for the proper functioning of the central nervous system, but how interneurons establish contact is poorly understood. Godinho and co-workers now report that, in zebrafish retina, the neurites of amacrine cells – a class of retinal interneuron – target specific synaptic layers, or sublaminae, within the inner plexiform layer (IPL) early in development (see p. 5069). By following labelled zebrafish amacrine cells in vivo, the researchers show that migrating amacrine cells form neurites in all directions. However, on reaching the IPL, the neurites that extend towards the ganglion cell layer are relatively more stable. Importantly, the neurites of the developing interneurons ramify only in the inner or outer IPL, regions that develop into different sublaminae – many other neurons initially ramify throughout the IPL before remodelling. This selective elaboration indicates the presence of sublamina-specific cues, which possibly occur through direct cell-cell interactions.
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15 November 2005
Eyeing up interneuron connections
Online ISSN: 1477-9129
Print ISSN: 0950-1991
©2005.
2005
Development (2005) 132 (22): e2205.
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Targeting of amacrine cell neurites to appropriate synaptic laminae in the developing zebrafish retina
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Eyeing up interneuron connections. Development 15 November 2005; 132 (22): e2205. doi:
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