Figure 9.

Downregulating activity of PKC Apl II in the sensory neuron by injecting a dominant negative construct does not interfere with initial synapse formation, and new synapse-associated growth. A, Injection of the dominant negative construct into the sensory neuron (green) does not interfere with growth of new sensory neuron branches that form new varicosities. The left images are epifluorescent views of eGFP expression in the preplated sensory neuron before adding L7 (Pre). The eventual locations of some of the new branches (yellow arrows) and new varicosities (red arrowheads) are indicated. The right images (Post) show epifluorescent views of the same area after 8 h of interaction with L7 (n = 8 per treatment). Arrows and arrowheads indicate some new branches and varicosities, respectively. Note that expression of the dominant negative construct does not interfere with new growth and varicosity formation. The right image is a phase contrast view of the same area 8 h after adding L7. Arrows point to the axon of the SN and the major axon of L7. B, EPSP amplitude (top), formation of new varicosities (middle), and growth of new branches (bottom) are unaffected by injection of the dominant negative construct. An overall ANOVA indicated no significant effect of treatment.