Ultrafast glutamate sensors resolve high-frequency release at Schaffer collateral synapses

Abstract

Significance Excitatory synapses convert presynaptic action potentials into chemical signals that are sensed by postsynaptic glutamate receptors. To eavesdrop on synaptic transmission, genetically encoded fluorescent sensors for glutamate have been developed. However, even the best available sensors lag behind the very fast glutamate dynamics in the synaptic cleft. Here, we report the development of an ultrafast genetically encoded glutamate sensor, iGlu u , which allowed us to image glutamate clearance and synaptic depression during 100-Hz spike trains. We found that only boutons showing paired-pulse facilitation were able to rapidly recover from depression. Thus, presynaptic boutons act as frequency-specific filters to transmit select features of the spike train to specific postsynaptic cells.