Competition for synaptic building blocks shapes synaptic plasticity

• Published in: eLife Vol. 7
• Main Authors: Triesch, Jochen, Vo, Anh Duong, Hafner, Anne-Sophie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England eLife Science Publications, Ltd 17.09.2018; eLife Sciences Publications Ltd; eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd
• Subjects: Competition; computational model; heterosynaptic plasticity; homosynaptic plasticity; Learning; Long-Term Potentiation; Mathematical models; Memory; Models, Neurological; Neuronal Plasticity - physiology; Neuroscience; neurotransmitter receptor; Neurotransmitter receptors; Protein Subunits - metabolism; Scaling; Short term; Stochastic Processes; Synapses - physiology; Synaptic plasticity; Time Factors; Frankfurt Germany; Germany; neurotransmitter receptor; computational model; heterosynaptic plasticity; none; homosynaptic plasticity; neuroscience
• ISSN: 2050-084X; 2050-084X
• DOI: 10.7554/elife.37836

Changes in the efficacies of synapses are thought to be the neurobiological basis of learning and memory. The efficacy of a synapse depends on its current number of neurotransmitter receptors. Recent experiments have shown that these receptors are highly dynamic, moving back and forth between synapses on time scales of seconds and minutes. This suggests spontaneous fluctuations in synaptic efficacies and a competition of nearby synapses for available receptors. Here we propose a mathematical model of this competition of synapses for neurotransmitter receptors from a local dendritic pool. Using minimal assumptions, the model produces a fast multiplicative scaling behavior of synapses. Furthermore, the model explains a transient form of heterosynaptic plasticity and predicts that its amount is inversely related to the size of the local receptor pool. Overall, our model reveals logistical tradeoffs during the induction of synaptic plasticity due to the rapid exchange of neurotransmitter receptors between synapses.