1
|
Mateus JC, Sousa MM, Burrone J, Aguiar P. Beyond a Transmission Cable-New Technologies to Reveal the Richness in Axonal Electrophysiology. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e1446232023. [PMID: 38479812 PMCID: PMC10941245 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1446-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The axon is a neuronal structure capable of processing, encoding, and transmitting information. This assessment contrasts with a limiting, but deeply rooted, perspective where the axon functions solely as a transmission cable of somatodendritic activity, sending signals in the form of stereotypical action potentials. This perspective arose, at least partially, because of the technical difficulties in probing axons: their extreme length-to-diameter ratio and intricate growth paths preclude the study of their dynamics through traditional techniques. Recent findings are challenging this view and revealing a much larger repertoire of axonal computations. Axons display complex signaling processes and structure-function relationships, which can be modulated via diverse activity-dependent mechanisms. Additionally, axons can exhibit patterns of activity that are dramatically different from those of their corresponding soma. Not surprisingly, many of these recent discoveries have been driven by novel technology developments, which allow for in vitro axon electrophysiology with unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution and signal-to-noise ratio. In this review, we outline the state-of-the-art in vitro toolset for axonal electrophysiology and summarize the recent discoveries in axon function it has enabled. We also review the increasing repertoire of microtechnologies for controlling axon guidance which, in combination with the available cutting-edge electrophysiology and imaging approaches, have the potential for more controlled and high-throughput in vitro studies. We anticipate that a larger adoption of these new technologies by the neuroscience community will drive a new era of experimental opportunities in the study of axon physiology and consequently, neuronal function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J C Mateus
- i3S- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - M M Sousa
- i3S- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - J Burrone
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom
| | - P Aguiar
- i3S- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tymanskyj SR, Curran BM, Ma L. Selective axonal transport through branch junctions is directed by growth cone signaling and mediated by KIF1/kinesin-3 motors. Cell Rep 2022; 39:110748. [PMID: 35476993 PMCID: PMC9097860 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Development and function of nerve cells rely on the orchestration of microtubule-based transport from the cell body into distal axonal terminals. Neurons often have highly elaborate branches innervating multiple targets, but how protein or membrane cargos navigate through branch junctions to specific branch targets is unknown. Here, we demonstrate that anterograde transport of membrane vesicles through axonal branch junctions is highly selective, which is influenced by branch length and more strongly by growth cone motility. Using an optogenetic tool, we demonstrate that signaling from the growth cone can rapidly direct transport through branch junctions. We further demonstrate that such transport selectivity is differentially regulated for different vesicles and mediated by the KIF1/kinesin-3 family motors. We propose that this transport regulation through branch junctions could broadly impact neuronal development, function, and regeneration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen R Tymanskyj
- Department of Neuroscience, Jefferson Center for Synaptic Biology, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Sydney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Bridget M Curran
- Department of Neuroscience, Jefferson Center for Synaptic Biology, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Sydney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Le Ma
- Department of Neuroscience, Jefferson Center for Synaptic Biology, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Sydney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
K v1.1 channels mediate network excitability and feed-forward inhibition in local amygdala circuits. Sci Rep 2021; 11:15180. [PMID: 34312446 PMCID: PMC8313690 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-94633-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Kv1.1 containing potassium channels play crucial roles towards dampening neuronal excitability. Mice lacking Kv1.1 subunits (Kcna1−/−) display recurrent spontaneous seizures and often exhibit sudden unexpected death. Seizures in Kcna1−/− mice resemble those in well-characterized models of temporal lobe epilepsy known to involve limbic brain regions and spontaneous seizures result in enhanced cFos expression and neuronal death in the amygdala. Yet, the functional alterations leading to amygdala hyperexcitability have not been identified. In this study, we used Kcna1−/− mice to examine the contributions of Kv1.1 subunits to excitability in neuronal subtypes from basolateral (BLA) and central lateral (CeL) amygdala known to exhibit distinct firing patterns. We also analyzed synaptic transmission properties in an amygdala local circuit predicted to be involved in epilepsy-related comorbidities. Our data implicate Kv1.1 subunits in controlling spontaneous excitatory synaptic activity in BLA pyramidal neurons. In the CeL, Kv1.1 loss enhances intrinsic excitability and impairs inhibitory synaptic transmission, notably resulting in dysfunction of feed-forward inhibition, a critical mechanism for controlling spike timing. Overall, we find inhibitory control of CeL interneurons is reduced in Kcna1−/− mice suggesting that basal inhibitory network functioning is less able to prevent recurrent hyperexcitation related to seizures.
Collapse
|
4
|
Gandini MA, Zamponi GW. Voltage‐gated calcium channel nanodomains: molecular composition and function. FEBS J 2021; 289:614-633. [DOI: 10.1111/febs.15759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maria A. Gandini
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute Hotchkiss Brain Institute Cumming School of Medicine University of Calgary AB Canada
| | - Gerald W. Zamponi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute Hotchkiss Brain Institute Cumming School of Medicine University of Calgary AB Canada
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Xiao Y, Yang J, Ji W, He Q, Mao L, Shu Y. A- and D-type potassium currents regulate axonal action potential repolarization in midbrain dopamine neurons. Neuropharmacology 2021; 185:108399. [PMID: 33400937 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2020] [Revised: 10/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Midbrain dopamine neurons (DANs) regulate various brain functions such as motor control and motivation. Alteration of spiking activities of these neurons could contribute to severe brain disorders including Parkinson's disease and depression. Previous studies showed important roles of somatodendritic voltage-gated K+ channels (Kv) of DANs in governing neuronal excitability and dopamine release. However, it remains largely unclear about the biophysical properties and the function of Kv channels distributed at DAN axons. We performed whole-cell recordings from the axons of DANs in acute mouse midbrain and striatal slices. We detected both rapidly activating/inactivating Kv current (i.e. A-current) and rapidly activating but slowly inactivating current (i.e. D-current) in DAN axons. Pharmacological experiments with channel blockers revealed that these currents are predominantly mediated by Kv1.4 and Kv1.2 subunits, respectively. Blocking these currents could substantially prolong axonal action potentials (APs) via a reduction of their repolarization slope. Together, our results show that Kv channels mediating A- and D-currents shape AP waveforms in midbrain DAN axons, through this regulation they may control dopamine release at the axonal terminals. Therefore, these axonal Kv channels could be drug targets for brain disorders with abnormal dopamine release.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Jun Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Wenliang Ji
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Quansheng He
- Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institute for Translational Brain Research, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Lanqun Mao
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China.
| | - Yousheng Shu
- Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institute for Translational Brain Research, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Bell JM, Lorenz C, Jones KE. Nerve excitability differences in slow and fast motor axons of the rat: more than just Ih. J Neurophysiol 2019; 122:1728-1734. [PMID: 31533011 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00269.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective was to determine biophysical differences between fast and slow motor axons using threshold tracking and demonstrate confounds related to anesthetic. Nerve excitability of motor axons innervating the slow-twitch soleus (SOL) and fast-twitch tibialis anterior (TA) muscles was tested. The experiments were conducted with pentobarbital sodium (SP) anesthetic and compared with previous results that used ketamine-xylazine (KX). Nerve excitability indices measured with SP show definitive differences between TA and SOL motor axons that extend beyond previous reports. Nerve excitability indices sensitive to changes in Ih indicated an increase in SOL axons compared with TA axons [e.g., S3 t = 7.949 (df = 10), P < 0.001; hyperpolarizing threshold electrotonus (90-100 ms), t = 2.659 (df = 20); P = 0.01; hyperpolarizing I/V slope, t = 4.308 (df = 19); P < 0.001]. SOL axons also had a longer strength-duration time constant [t = 3.35 (df = 20); P = 0.003] and a longer and larger magnitude relative refractory period [RRP (ms) t = 3.53 (df = 12); P = 0.004; Refractoriness at 2 ms, t = 0.0055 (df = 9); P = 0.006]. Anesthetic choice affected many measures of peripheral nerve excitability with differences most apparent in tests of threshold electrotonus and recovery cycle. For example, recovery cycle with KX lacked a clear superexcitable and late subexcitable period. We conclude that KX had a confounding effect on nerve excitability results consistent with ischemic depolarization. Results using SP revealed the full extent of differences in nerve excitability measures between putative slow and fast motor axons of the rat. These results provide empirical evidence, beyond conduction velocity, that the biophysical properties of motor axons vary with the type of muscle fiber innervated. These differences suggest that fast axons may be predisposed to dysfunction during hyperpolarizing stresses, e.g., electrogenic sodium pumping following sustained impulse conduction.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Nerve excitability testing is a tool used to provide insight into the properties of ion channels in peripheral nerves. It is used clinically to assess pathophysiology of axons. Researchers customarily think of motor axons as homogeneous; however, we demonstrate there are clear differences between fast and slow axons in the rat. This is important for interpreting results with selective motor neuronopathy, like aging where fast axons are at high risk of degeneration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James M Bell
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Computing Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Chad Lorenz
- Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kelvin E Jones
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Affiliation(s)
- Timothy A Ryan
- Department of Biochemistry, Weill Cornell Medical College, USA.
| | - Yishi Jin
- Neurobiology Section, University of California San Diego, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Burke KJ, Bender KJ. Modulation of Ion Channels in the Axon: Mechanisms and Function. Front Cell Neurosci 2019; 13:221. [PMID: 31156397 PMCID: PMC6533529 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The axon is responsible for integrating synaptic signals, generating action potentials (APs), propagating those APs to downstream synapses and converting them into patterns of neurotransmitter vesicle release. This process is mediated by a rich assortment of voltage-gated ion channels whose function can be affected on short and long time scales by activity. Moreover, neuromodulators control the activity of these proteins through G-protein coupled receptor signaling cascades. Here, we review cellular mechanisms and signaling pathways involved in axonal ion channel modulation and examine how changes to ion channel function affect AP initiation, AP propagation, and the release of neurotransmitter. We then examine how these mechanisms could modulate synaptic function by focusing on three key features of synaptic information transmission: synaptic strength, synaptic variability, and short-term plasticity. Viewing these cellular mechanisms of neuromodulation from a functional perspective may assist in extending these findings to theories of neural circuit function and its neuromodulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth J Burke
- Neuroscience Graduate Program and Department of Neurology, Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Kevin J Bender
- Neuroscience Graduate Program and Department of Neurology, Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|