Electrical synapses connect a network of gonadotropin releasing hormone neurons in a cichlid fish

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Yunyong MaRussell D Fernald

Abstract

Initiating and regulating vertebrate reproduction requires pulsatile release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH1) from the hypothalamus. Coordinated GnRH1 release, not simply elevated absolute levels, effects the release of pituitary gonadotropins that drive steroid production in the gonads. However, the mechanisms underlying synchronization of GnRH1 neurons are unknown. Control of synchronicity by gap junctions between GnRH1 neurons has been proposed but not previously found. We recorded simultaneously from pairs of transgenically labeled GnRH1 neurons in adult male Astatotilapia burtoni cichlid fish. We report that GnRH1 neurons are strongly and uniformly interconnected by electrical synapses that can drive spiking in connected cells and can be reversibly blocked by meclofenamic acid. Our results suggest that electrical synapses could promote coordinated spike firing in a cellular assemblage of GnRH1 neurons to produce the pulsatile output necessary for activation of the pituitary and reproduction.

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Citations

Oct 7, 2015·Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience·Julie S Haas
Dec 31, 2015·PloS One·Kapa LenkovRussell D Fernald
Nov 2, 2016·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Astra S BryantRussell D Fernald
Jan 7, 2017·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Russell D Fernald
Nov 1, 2016·Balsaeng'gwa saengsig·Tae Ha Kim, Young Chang Sohn
Mar 1, 2018·Policy Insights From the Behavioral and Brain Sciences·Tyler J StevensonAlexander G Ophir
Jan 16, 2019·The Journal of Comparative Neurology·Julie M Butler, Karen P Maruska
Feb 8, 2020·General and Comparative Endocrinology·José A Muñoz-CuetoYonathan Zohar
Jun 22, 2019·General and Comparative Endocrinology·Karen P MaruskaRussell D Fernald
Jan 27, 2019·Brain Research·Karen MaruskaCaio Maximino
Mar 10, 2018·ACS Chemical Neuroscience·Karen P Maruska, Russell D Fernald
Aug 16, 2019·Brain, Behavior and Evolution·Scott Juntti

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