MSc Exit Seminar for Fariha Memon (Buck Lab)

Impact of Exogenous Hydrogen Sulfide on Short-term Synaptic Plasticity in the Anoxia-tolerant Western Painted Turtle  

Abstract

The western painted turtle has evolved mechanisms that allow for survival during months of severe hypoxia without neuronal damage. This is achieved by suppressing metabolism and excitatory neuronal activity. What remains unclear, however, is what happens at the synaptic level and what signalling molecules regulate synaptic activity during hypoxia. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a gasotransmitter, participates in neuroprotective pathways and is found to accumulate in the neuronal tissue during low O2 conditions. I hypothesize that H2S modulates synaptic transmission during hypoxia in the turtle brain. Using cortical tissue, I demonstrated that exogenous H2S application: 1) causes mitochondrial membrane depolarization similar to severe hypoxia; 2) and when combined with hypoxia does not affect synaptic transmission and short-term plasticity and 3) does not impact the membrane potential of pyramidal neurons as severe hypoxia is known to do. These findings indicate that synaptic transmission and short-term plasticity are maintained during hypoxic conditions.

—————————————————————-

Friday, October 8th, 2021 at 1:00 pm

Join Zoom Meeting

https://utoronto.zoom.us/j/82055165937

Meeting ID: 820 5516 5937
Host: Leslie Buck (les.buck@utoronto.ca)

—————————————————————-