Cell-specific STORM super-resolution imaging reveals nanoscale organization of cannabinoid signaling

Barna Dudok, László Barna, Marco Ledri, Szilárd I. Szabó, Eszter Szabadits, Balázs Pintér, Stephen G. Woodhams, Christopher M. Henstridge, Gyula Y. Balla, Rita Nyilas, Csaba Varga, Sang Hun Lee, Máté Matolcsi, Judit Cervenak, Imre Kacskovics, Masahiko Watanabe, Claudia Sagheddu, Miriam Melis, Marco Pistis, Ivan SolteszIstván Katona

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

194 Scopus citations

Abstract

A major challenge in neuroscience is to determine the nanoscale position and quantity of signaling molecules in a cell type-and subcellular compartment-specific manner. We developed a new approach to this problem by combining cell-specific physiological and anatomical characterization with super-resolution imaging and studied the molecular and structural parameters shaping the physiological properties of synaptic endocannabinoid signaling in the mouse hippocampus. We found that axon terminals of perisomatically projecting GABAergic interneurons possessed increased CB 1 receptor number, active-zone complexity and receptor/effector ratio compared with dendritically projecting interneurons, consistent with higher efficiency of cannabinoid signaling at somatic versus dendritic synapses. Furthermore, chronic Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol administration, which reduces cannabinoid efficacy on GABA release, evoked marked CB 1 downregulation in a dose-dependent manner. Full receptor recovery required several weeks after the cessation of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol treatment. These findings indicate that cell type-specific nanoscale analysis of endogenous protein distribution is possible in brain circuits and identify previously unknown molecular properties controlling endocannabinoid signaling and cannabis-induced cognitive dysfunction.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)75-86
Number of pages12
JournalNature Neuroscience
Volume18
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2015

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 Nature America, Inc. All rights reserved.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Cell-specific STORM super-resolution imaging reveals nanoscale organization of cannabinoid signaling'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this