Identification of a Group of GABAergic Neurons in the Dorsomedial Area of the Locus Coeruleus

PloS One
Xin JinChun Jiang

Abstract

The locus coeruleus (LC)-norepinephrine (NE) system in the brainstem plays a critical role in a variety of behaviors is an important target of pharmacological intervention to several neurological disorders. Although GABA is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter of LC neurons, the modulation of LC neuronal firing activity by local GABAergic interneurons remains poorly understood with respect to their precise location, intrinsic membrane properties and synaptic modulation. Here, we took an optogenetic approach to address these questions. Channelrhodopsin (ChR2) in a tandem with the yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) was expressed in GABAergic neurons under the control of glutamic acid decarboxylase 2 (GAD2) promoter. Immediately dorsomedial to the LC nucleus, a group of GABAergic neurons was observed. They had small soma and were densely packed in a small area, which we named the dorsomedial LC or dmLC nucleus. These GABAergic neurons showed fast firing activity, strong inward rectification and spike frequency adaptation. Lateral inhibition among these GABAergic neurons was observed. Optostimulation of the dmLC area drastically inhibited LC neuronal firing frequency, expanded the spike intervals, and reset their pacemaking activity...Continue Reading

References

Jul 1, 1983·Physiological Reviews·S L FooteG Aston-Jones
Jan 15, 1993·The Journal of Comparative Neurology·Z F KisvárdayU T Eysel
Apr 2, 2003·Brain Research. Brain Research Reviews·Craig W Berridge, Barry D Waterhouse
Mar 6, 2004·The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience·Gary Aston-JonesJ Patrick Card
Mar 25, 2011·Journal of Neurophysiology·Ningren CuiChun Jiang
Jan 9, 2013·The Journal of Comparative Neurology·Eugene L DimitrovTed B Usdin
Feb 9, 2013·American Journal of Physiology. Cell Physiology·Xin JinChun Jiang
Feb 12, 2013·Neuron·Corentin Le Magueresse, Hannah Monyer

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Apr 24, 2018·Psychophysiology·Michael Christopher MelnychukIan H Robertson
Oct 26, 2016·Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders·Weiwei ZhongChun Jiang
Jan 16, 2019·Nature Neuroscience·Vincent Breton-Provencher, Mriganka Sur
Jun 19, 2016·Journal of Neuroscience Research·Shuang ZhangChun Jiang
Sep 8, 2019·The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics·Randy Torralva, Aaron Janowsky
Apr 24, 2020·Frontiers in Pharmacology·Elena Paredes-RodriguezCristina Miguelez
Nov 11, 2020·Journal of Cellular Physiology·Hao XingChun Jiang
Jun 25, 2021·Frontiers in Neural Circuits·Vincent Breton-ProvencherMriganka Sur

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Methods Mentioned

BETA
PCR
fluorescence microscopy
Transgenic

Software Mentioned

Clampex
Mini Analysis Program

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.