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  • Title: Dendrite growth increased by visual activity requires NMDA receptor and Rho GTPases.
    Author: Sin WC, Haas K, Ruthazer ES, Cline HT.
    Journal: Nature; 2002 Oct 03; 419(6906):475-80. PubMed ID: 12368855.
    Abstract:
    Previous studies suggest that neuronal activity may guide the development of synaptic connections in the central nervous system through mechanisms involving glutamate receptors and GTPase-dependent modulation of the actin cytoskeleton. Here we demonstrate by in vivo time-lapse imaging of optic tectal cells in Xenopus laevis tadpoles that enhanced visual activity driven by a light stimulus promotes dendritic arbor growth. The stimulus-induced dendritic arbor growth requires glutamate-receptor-mediated synaptic transmission, decreased RhoA activity and increased Rac and Cdc42 activity. The results delineate a role for Rho GTPases in the structural plasticity driven by visual stimulation in vivo.
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