Laboratory for Neurobiology of Synapse

Information transfer between neurons takes place at the synapse. The wiring pattern among various types of neurons via specific synaptic connections is the basis of functional logic employed by the brain for information processing. Thus, detailed knowledge of neuronal networks is essential for understanding the wide range of brain functions. With special reference to the mouse and zebrafish olfactory system, we aim to elucidate the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the formation, maintenance, and plasticity of functional neural circuits. We will also focus on the identification and characterization of functional molecules involved in cell-cell interactions at the synapses in both the developing and mature brains.

Research Subjects

• Development and functional architecture of the olfactory system
• Cell recognition/adhrsion molecules in neural development

Publications

1. Mizuguchi, R., Naritsuka, H., Mori, K., Mao, C. A., Klein, W. H., Yoshihara, Y.:
   "Tbr2 deficiency in mitral and tufted cells disrupt excitatory-inhibitory balance of neural circuitry in the mouse olfactory bulb"
   J. Neurosci., 32, 8831-8844 (2012).
2. Furutani, Y., Kawasaki, M., Matsuno, H., Mitsui, S., Mori, K., Yoshihara, Y.:
   "Vitronectin induces phosphorylation of ezrin/radixin/moesin actin-binding proteins through binding to its novel neuronal receptor telencephalin"
   J. Biol. Chem., 287, 39041-39049 (2012).
3. Koide, T., Miyasaka, N., Morimoto, K., Asakawa, A., Urasaki, A., Kawakami, K., Yoshihara, Y.:
   "Olfactory neural circuitry for attraction to amino acids revealed by transposon-mediated gene trap approach in zebrafish"
   Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 106, 9884-9889 (2009).
4. Miyasaka, N., Morimoto, K., Tsubokawa, T., Higashijima, S., Okamoto, H., Yoshihara, Y.:
   "From the olfactory bulb to higher brain centers: genetic visualization of secondary olfactory pathways in zebrafish"
   J. Neurosci., 29, 4756-4767 (2009).
5. Yoshihara, Y., Roo, M., Muller, D.:
   "Dendritic spine formation and stabilization"
   Curr Opin Neurobiol., 19, 146-153 (2009).
6. Kaneko-Goto, T., Yoshihara, S., Miyazaki, H., Yoshihara, Y.:
   "BIG-2 mediates olfactory axon convergence to target glomeruli"
   Neuron, 57, 834-846 (2008).
7. Furutani, Y., Matsuno, H., Kawasaki, M., Sasaki, T., Mori, K., Yoshihara, Y.:
   "Interaction between telencephalin and ERM family proteins mediates dendritic filopodia formation"
   J. Neurosci., 27, 8866-8876 (2007).
8. Sato, Y., Miyasaka, N., Yoshihara, Y.:
   "Hierarchical regulation of odorant receptor gene choice and subsequent axonal projection of olfactory sensory neurons in zebrafish"
   J. Neurosci., 27, 1606-1615 (2007).
9. Matsuno, H., Okabe, S., Mishina, M., Yanagida, T., Mori, K., Yoshihara, Y.:
   "Telencephalin slows spine maturation"
   J. Neurosci., 26, 1776-1786 (2006).
10. Sato, Y., Miyasaka, N., Yoshihara, Y.:
    "Mutually exclusive glomerular innervation by two distinct types of olfactory sensory neurons revealed in transgenic zebrafish"
    J. Neurosci., 25, 4889-4897 (2005).