Exploring Mechanisms of Synaptic Plasticity Using Exogenous Expression of Proteins at the Sensory-to-Motor Neuron Synapse of Aplysia

The use of expression constructs to drive exogenous expression of proteins has long been a pillar of cell and molecular biology. In this chapter, we will focus on two particular uses for this technique in studying synaptic plasticity, using Aplysia californica as a model: first, the use of overexpressed fluorescent proteins as reporters for live imaging of signal transduction pathways that are activated during synaptic plasticity and, second, exogenous expression of dominant negatives to test the role of specific signaling pathways in synaptic plasticity. The advantages and disadvantages of these techniques will be discussed followed by detailed experimental methods describing how to use these techniques.