Nanoscale dendritic shaft constrictions shape synaptic integration in fine caliber principal neuron dendrites

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)

Abstract

Abstract Traditionally, theoretical studies typically described dendritic morphology as optimized for efficient synaptic voltage transfer from spines to the soma, implemented as a tubular design respecting Rall’s 3/2 rule for impedance matching at branch points. Here, we reveal that this view is an oversimplification. Using three high-resolution imaging techniques, we demonstrate that dendrites in cortical and hippocampal neurons contain nanoscale constrictions, comparable in diameter to spine necks. We provide theoretical and experimental evidence that these constrictions partition the dendrite into distinct electrical compartments, significantly shaping dendritic integration of synaptic potentials.

Authors 17

1. Michael Döngi

   University of Bonn

   Affiliation as printed

   Institut für Physiologie II, Universität Bonn, Bonn, Germany

2. Juan Eduardo Rodriguez-Gatica

   University of Bonn

   Affiliation as printed

   Clausius-Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany

   Institute for Experimental Epileptology and Cognition Research, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany

3. Netanel Ofer

   Hebrew University of Jerusalem

   Affiliation as printed

   Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel

4. Carlos Wert-Carvajal

   University of Bonn

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Experimental Epileptology and Cognition Research, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany

5. Philipp Bethge

   Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique · Université de Bordeaux · Institut Interdisciplinaire de Neuroscience

   Affiliation as printed

   Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience, UMR 5297 CNRS, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France

   Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience, UMR 297 CNRS, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France

6. Michel K. Herde

   University of Bonn

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Cellular Neurosciences, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany

7. Jens F. Tillmann

   University of Bonn

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Experimental Epileptology and Cognition Research, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany

8. Sabrina Ingrid Peter Aachen Department of Neurology Department of Epileptology

   Universitätsklinikum Aachen · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Neurology, Department of Epileptology, RWTH Uniklinik, RWTH Aachen University, Germany

9. Sebastián Dupraz

   German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases

   Affiliation as printed

   Axonal Growth and Regeneration Group, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Venusberg-Campus 1, Building 99, 53127 Bonn, Germany

10. Henner Koch Aachen Department of Neurology Department of Epileptology

    Universitätsklinikum Aachen · RWTH Aachen University

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Neurology, Department of Epileptology, RWTH Uniklinik, RWTH Aachen University, Germany

11. Valentin Stein

    University of Bonn

    Affiliation as printed

    Institut für Physiologie II, Universität Bonn, Bonn, Germany

12. Frank Bradke

    German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases

    Affiliation as printed

    Axonal Growth and Regeneration Group, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Venusberg-Campus 1, Building 99, 53127 Bonn, Germany

13. Tatjana Tchumatchenko

    University of Bonn

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute for Experimental Epileptology and Cognition Research, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany

14. Martin K. Schwarz

    University of Bonn

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute for Experimental Epileptology and Cognition Research, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany

15. Ulrich Kubitscheck

    University of Bonn

    Affiliation as printed

    Clausius-Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany

16. U. Valentin Nägerl

    Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique · Université de Bordeaux · Universitätsmedizin Göttingen · Institut Interdisciplinaire de Neuroscience · University of Göttingen

    Affiliation as printed

    Institut für Anatomie und Zellbiologie, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany

    Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience, UMR 5297 CNRS, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France

    Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience, UMR 297 CNRS, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France

17. Heinz Beck corresponding

    University of Bonn · German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases

    Affiliation as printed

    Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen e.V., Bonn, Germany

    Institute for Experimental Epileptology and Cognition Research, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany