Robert S. Wilkinson, Ph.D.
Professor
Cell Biology and Physiology
Neurosciences Program
Molecular Cell Biology Program
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Office Phone: 314-362-2300
Lab Phone: 314-362-5299
Other Phone:
FAX: 314-362-7463
Box: 8228
Lab Address: 6615 Cancer Research Building
Email: wilk@wustl.edu
Website: http://www.cellbio.wustl.edu/faculty/wilk/wilkinso.htm
Keywords: synapse biology; imaging; synaptic plasticity; endocytosis
Short Research Description: Synaptic structure and function, particularly vesicle processing pathways. |
Research Abstract:
Our lab studies the relation between synaptic structure and function, with the particular aim of understanding what determines a synapse’s strength. Change, or plasticity, in synaptic strength represents communication between cells that is required for normal function; this communication (or lack of it) is strongly implicated in learning, memory and certain disease states. We use electrophysiology, such as voltage and patch clamping, together with three-dimensional confocal and electron microscopy. In particular, we have developed means to visualize and study individual transmitter-containing vesicles as they are released and subsequently reprocessed by nerve terminals.
Nerve-muscle synapses are my favorite preparation because of their simplicity and accessibility. Both the presynaptic terminal and the postsynaptic receptors are involved in regulating synaptic strength. To study these elements independently and at highest resolution we focus on individual living synaptic boutons (the smallest “unit synapses”), which release approximately one vesicle per stimulus. At this microscopic level we have found that transmitter release appears, surprisingly, to be deterministic and not random as previously thought. Current work in the lab aims to discover the mechanism for this non-random release, which we believe more accurately describes a small synapse than does the Katz theory.
We are also studying the role of vesicle recycling in determining synaptic strength. Far from being a mere “housekeeping” process, recycling is a key regulator of strength. Specifically, we are observing the movement and dissipation into vesicles of endocytosed structures that are created by neural activity. |
Selected Publications:
Yin, MY, Teng H & Wilkinson RS. Vesicles in snake motor terminals comprise one functional pool and utilize a single recycling strategy at all frequencies. J Physiol 2005 568(2):413-421.
Teng H, Wilkinson RS. "Delayed" endocytosis is regulated by extracellular Ca2+ in snake motor boutons. J Physiol 2003 551(1):103-114.
Wilkinson RS, Teng H. The nerve-muscle synapse of the garter snake. J Neurocytol 2003 32(5-8):523-538.
Wilkinson RS, Cole JC. Resolving the Heuser-Ceccarelli debate. Trends Neurosci 2001 24(4):195-197.
Teng H, Wilkinson RS. Clathrin-mediated endocytosis near active zones in snake motor boutons. J Neurosci 2000 20(21):7986-7993. |