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Jo A, Deniz S, Cherian S, Xu J, Futagi D, DeVries SH, Zhu Y. Modular interneuron circuits control motion sensitivity in the mouse retina. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7746. [PMID: 38008788 PMCID: PMC10679153 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43382-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural computations arise from highly precise connections between specific types of neurons. Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) with similar stratification patterns are positioned to receive similar inputs but often display different response properties. In this study, we used intersectional mouse genetics to achieve single-cell type labeling and identified an object motion sensitive (OMS) AC type, COMS-AC(counter-OMS AC). Optogenetic stimulation revealed that COMS-AC makes glycinergic synapses with the OMS-insensitive HD2p-RGC, while chemogenetic inactivation showed that COMS-AC provides inhibitory control to HD2p-RGC during local motion. This local inhibition, combined with the inhibitory drive from TH2-AC during global motion, explains the OMS-insensitive feature of HD2p-RGC. In contrast, COMS-AC fails to make synapses with W3(UHD)-RGC, allowing it to exhibit OMS under the control of VGlut3-AC and TH2-AC. These findings reveal modular interneuron circuits that endow structurally similar RGC types with different responses and present a mechanism for redundancy-reduction in the retina to expand coding capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Jo
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Sercan Deniz
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Suraj Cherian
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Jian Xu
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Daiki Futagi
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Steven H DeVries
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Yongling Zhu
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
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2
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Mani A, Yang X, Zhao TA, Leyrer ML, Schreck D, Berson DM. A circuit suppressing retinal drive to the optokinetic system during fast image motion. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5142. [PMID: 37612305 PMCID: PMC10447436 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40527-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) assists stabilization of the retinal image during head rotation. OKN is driven by ON direction selective retinal ganglion cells (ON DSGCs), which encode both the direction and speed of global retinal slip. The synaptic circuits responsible for the direction selectivity of ON DSGCs are well understood, but those sculpting their slow-speed preference remain enigmatic. Here, we probe this mechanism in mouse retina through patch clamp recordings, functional imaging, genetic manipulation, and electron microscopic reconstructions. We confirm earlier evidence that feedforward glycinergic inhibition is the main suppressor of ON DSGC responses to fast motion, and reveal the source for this inhibition-the VGluT3 amacrine cell, a dual neurotransmitter, excitatory/inhibitory interneuron. Together, our results identify a role for VGluT3 cells in limiting the speed range of OKN. More broadly, they suggest VGluT3 cells shape the response of many retinal cell types to fast motion, suppressing it in some while enhancing it in others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Mani
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Xinzhu Yang
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Tiffany A Zhao
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Megan L Leyrer
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Daniel Schreck
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - David M Berson
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
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3
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Huang W, Xu Q, Liu F, Su J, Xiao D, Tang L, Hao ZZ, Liu R, Xiang K, Bi Y, Miao Z, Liu X, Liu Y, Liu S. Identification of TPBG-Expressing Amacrine Cells in DAT-tdTomato Mouse. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2022; 63:13. [PMID: 35551574 PMCID: PMC9123489 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.63.5.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Neurons are the bricks of the neuronal system and experimental access to certain neuron subtypes will be of great help to decipher neuronal circuits. Here, we identified trophoblast glycoprotein (TPBG)-expressing GABAergic amacrine cells (ACs) that were selectively labeled in DAT-tdTomato transgenic mice. Methods Retina and brain sections were prepared for immunostaining with antibodies against various biomarkers. Patch-sequencing was performed to obtain the transcriptomes of tdTomato-positive cells in DAT-tdTomato mice. Whole-cell recordings were conducted to identify responses to light stimulation. Results Tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive cells were colocalized with tdTomato-positive cells in substantia nigra pars compacta, but not in the retina. Transcriptomes collected from tdTomato-positive cells in retinas via Patch-sequencing exhibited the expression of marker genes of ACs (Pax6 and Slc32a1) and marker genes of GABAergic neurons (Gad1, Gad2, and Slc6a1). Immunostaining with antibodies against relevant proteins (GAD67, GAD65, and GABA) also confirmed transcriptomic results. Furthermore, tdTomato-positive cells in retinas selectively expressed Tpbg, a marker gene for distinct clusters molecularly defined, which was proved with TPBG immunoreactivity in fluorescently labeled cells. Finally, tdTomato-positive cells recorded showed ON-OFF responses to light stimulation. Conclusions Ectopic expression occurs in the retina but not in the substantia nigra pars compacta in the DAT-tdTomato mouse, and fluorescently labeled cells in the retina are TPBG-expressing GABAergic ACs. This type of transgenic mice has been proved as an ideal tool to achieve efficient labeling of a distinct subset of ACs that selectively express Tpbg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanjing Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Feng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing Su
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dongchang Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lei Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhao-Zhe Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruifeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kangjian Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yalan Bi
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SD, United Kingdom
| | - Zhichao Miao
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SD, United Kingdom
- Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence and Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xialin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yizhi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
- Research Unit of Ocular Development and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Sheng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Guangzhou, China
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4
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Abstract
Retinal circuits transform the pixel representation of photoreceptors into the feature representations of ganglion cells, whose axons transmit these representations to the brain. Functional, morphological, and transcriptomic surveys have identified more than 40 retinal ganglion cell (RGC) types in mice. RGCs extract features of varying complexity; some simply signal local differences in brightness (i.e., luminance contrast), whereas others detect specific motion trajectories. To understand the retina, we need to know how retinal circuits give rise to the diverse RGC feature representations. A catalog of the RGC feature set, in turn, is fundamental to understanding visual processing in the brain. Anterograde tracing indicates that RGCs innervate more than 50 areas in the mouse brain. Current maps connecting RGC types to brain areas are rudimentary, as is our understanding of how retinal signals are transformed downstream to guide behavior. In this article, I review the feature selectivities of mouse RGCs, how they arise, and how they are utilized downstream. Not only is knowledge of the behavioral purpose of RGC signals critical for understanding the retinal contributions to vision; it can also guide us to the most relevant areas of visual feature space. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Vision Science, Volume 8 is September 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Kerschensteiner
- John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences; Department of Neuroscience; Department of Biomedical Engineering; and Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA;
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5
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Behrens C, Yadav SC, Korympidou MM, Zhang Y, Haverkamp S, Irsen S, Schaedler A, Lu X, Liu Z, Lause J, St-Pierre F, Franke K, Vlasits A, Dedek K, Smith RG, Euler T, Berens P, Schubert T. Retinal horizontal cells use different synaptic sites for global feedforward and local feedback signaling. Curr Biol 2022; 32:545-558.e5. [PMID: 34910950 PMCID: PMC8886496 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.11.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
In the outer plexiform layer (OPL) of the mammalian retina, cone photoreceptors (cones) provide input to more than a dozen types of cone bipolar cells (CBCs). In the mouse, this transmission is modulated by a single horizontal cell (HC) type. HCs perform global signaling within their laterally coupled network but also provide local, cone-specific feedback. However, it is unknown how HCs provide local feedback to cones at the same time as global forward signaling to CBCs and where the underlying synapses are located. To assess how HCs simultaneously perform different modes of signaling, we reconstructed the dendritic trees of five HCs as well as cone axon terminals and CBC dendrites in a serial block-face electron microscopy volume and analyzed their connectivity. In addition to the fine HC dendritic tips invaginating cone axon terminals, we also identified "bulbs," short segments of increased dendritic diameter on the primary dendrites of HCs. These bulbs are in an OPL stratum well below the cone axon terminal base and make contacts with other HCs and CBCs. Our results from immunolabeling, electron microscopy, and glutamate imaging suggest that HC bulbs represent GABAergic synapses that do not receive any direct photoreceptor input. Together, our data suggest the existence of two synaptic strata in the mouse OPL, spatially separating cone-specific feedback and feedforward signaling to CBCs. A biophysical model of a HC dendritic branch and voltage imaging support the hypothesis that this spatial arrangement of synaptic contacts allows for simultaneous local feedback and global feedforward signaling by HCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Behrens
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 25, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 25, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 27, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Shubhash Chandra Yadav
- Neurosensorics/Animal Navigation, Institute for Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Carl-von-Ossietzky-Str. 9-11, 26111 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Maria M Korympidou
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 25, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 27, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Yue Zhang
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 25, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 27, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Silke Haverkamp
- Department of Computational Neuroethology, Center of Advanced European Studies and Research (caesar), Ludwig-Erhard-Allee 2, 53175 Bonn, Germany
| | - Stephan Irsen
- Electron Microscopy and Analytics, Center of Advanced European Studies and Research (caesar), Ludwig-Erhard-Allee 2, 53175 Bonn, Germany
| | - Anna Schaedler
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 25, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 27, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Xiaoyu Lu
- Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Biology Program, Rice University, 6500 Main St., Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Zhuohe Liu
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, 6100 Main St., Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Jan Lause
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 25, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 25, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 27, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - François St-Pierre
- Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Biology Program, Rice University, 6500 Main St., Houston, TX 77005, USA; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, 6100 Main St., Houston, TX 77005, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Katrin Franke
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 25, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 25, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Anna Vlasits
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 25, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 25, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Karin Dedek
- Neurosensorics/Animal Navigation, Institute for Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Carl-von-Ossietzky-Str. 9-11, 26111 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Robert G Smith
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania, 422 Curie Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Thomas Euler
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 25, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 25, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Philipp Berens
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 25, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 25, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Tübingen AI Center, University of Tübingen, Maria-von-Linden-Straße 6, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Timm Schubert
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 25, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
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6
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Gamlin CR, Zhang C, Dyer MA, Wong ROL. Distinct Developmental Mechanisms Act Independently to Shape Biased Synaptic Divergence from an Inhibitory Neuron. Curr Biol 2020; 30:1258-1268.e2. [PMID: 32109390 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2020.01.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Neurons often contact more than one postsynaptic partner type and display stereotypic patterns of synaptic divergence. Such synaptic patterns usually involve some partners receiving more synapses than others. The developmental strategies generating "biased" synaptic distributions remain largely unknown. To gain insight, we took advantage of a compact circuit in the vertebrate retina, whereby the AII amacrine cell (AII AC) provides inhibition onto cone bipolar cell (BC) axons and retinal ganglion cell (RGC) dendrites, but makes the majority of its synapses with the BCs. Using light and electron microscopy, we reconstructed the morphology and connectivity of mouse retinal AII ACs across postnatal development. We found that AII ACs do not elaborate their presynaptic structures, the lobular appendages, until BCs differentiate about a week after RGCs are present. Lobular appendages are present in mutant mice lacking BCs, implying that although synchronized with BC axonal differentiation, presynaptic differentiation of the AII ACs is not dependent on cues from BCs. With maturation, AII ACs maintain a constant number of synapses with RGCs, preferentially increase synaptogenesis with BCs, and eliminate synapses with wide-field amacrine cells. Thus, AII ACs undergo partner type-specific changes in connectivity to attain their mature pattern of synaptic divergence. Moreover, AII ACs contact non-BCs to the same extent in bipolarless retinas, indicating that AII ACs establish partner-type-specific connectivity using diverse mechanisms that operate in parallel but independently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare R Gamlin
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Chi Zhang
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Michael A Dyer
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude's Children Research Hospital, Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Rachel O L Wong
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
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7
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Tetenborg S, Yadav SC, Brüggen B, Zoidl GR, Hormuzdi SG, Monyer H, van Woerden GM, Janssen-Bienhold U, Dedek K. Localization of Retinal Ca 2+/Calmodulin-Dependent Kinase II-β (CaMKII-β) at Bipolar Cell Gap Junctions and Cross-Reactivity of a Monoclonal Anti-CaMKII-β Antibody With Connexin36. Front Mol Neurosci 2019; 12:206. [PMID: 31555090 PMCID: PMC6724749 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuronal gap junctions formed by connexin36 (Cx36) and chemical synapses share striking similarities in terms of plasticity. Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), an enzyme known to induce memory formation at chemical synapses, has recently been described to potentiate electrical coupling in the retina and several other brain areas via phosphorylation of Cx36. The contribution of individual CaMKII isoforms to this process, however, remains unknown. We recently identified CaMKII-β at electrical synapses in the mouse retina. Now, we set out to identify cell types containing Cx36 gap junctions that also express CaMKII-β. To ensure precise description, we first tested the specificity of two commercially available antibodies on CaMKII-β-deficient retinas. We found that a polyclonal antibody was highly specific for CaMKII-β. However, a monoclonal antibody (CB-β-1) recognized CaMKII-β but also cross-reacted with the C-terminal tail of Cx36, making localization analyses with this antibody inaccurate. Using the polyclonal antibody, we identified strong CaMKII-β expression in bipolar cell terminals that were secretagogin- and HCN1-positive and thus represent terminals of type 5 bipolar cells. In these terminals, a small fraction of CaMKII-β also colocalized with Cx36. A similar pattern was observed in putative type 6 bipolar cells although there, CaMKII expression seemed less pronounced. Next, we tested whether CaMKII-β influenced the Cx36 expression in bipolar cell terminals by quantifying the number and size of Cx36-immunoreactive puncta in CaMKII-β-deficient retinas. However, we found no significant differences between the genotypes, indicating that CaMKII-β is not necessary for the formation and maintenance of Cx36-containing gap junctions in the retina. In addition, in wild-type retinas, we observed frequent association of Cx36 and CaMKII-β with synaptic ribbons, i.e., chemical synapses, in bipolar cell terminals. This arrangement resembled the composition of mixed synapses found for example in Mauthner cells, in which electrical coupling is regulated by glutamatergic activity. Taken together, our data imply that CaMKII-β may fulfill several functions in bipolar cell terminals, regulating both Cx36-containing gap junctions and ribbon synapses and potentially also mediating cross-talk between these two types of bipolar cell outputs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Tetenborg
- Animal Navigation/Neurosensorics, Institute for Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Shubhash Chandra Yadav
- Animal Navigation/Neurosensorics, Institute for Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Bianca Brüggen
- Animal Navigation/Neurosensorics, Institute for Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Georg R Zoidl
- Department of Biology & Center for Vision Research, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sheriar G Hormuzdi
- Division of Neuroscience, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | | | - Geeske M van Woerden
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ulrike Janssen-Bienhold
- Department of Neuroscience, Visual Neuroscience, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany.,Research Center Neurosensory Science, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Karin Dedek
- Animal Navigation/Neurosensorics, Institute for Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany.,Research Center Neurosensory Science, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
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8
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Yamagata M, Sanes JR. Expression and Roles of the Immunoglobulin Superfamily Recognition Molecule Sidekick1 in Mouse Retina. Front Mol Neurosci 2019; 11:485. [PMID: 30687002 PMCID: PMC6333872 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Processes of >100 types of interneurons (bipolar and amacrine cells) and projection neurons (retinal ganglion cells, RGCs) form specific and stereotyped patterns of connections in the inner plexiform layer (IPL) of the mouse retina. Four closely related homophilic immunoglobulin superfamily recognition molecules (Sidekick [Sdk] 1, Sdk 2, Dscam, and DscamL1) have been shown to play roles in patterning neuronal arbors and connections in chick retina, and all but Sdk1 have been shown to play related roles in mice. Here, we compare patterns of Sdk1 and Sdk2 expression in mouse retina and use genetic methods to assess roles of Sdk1. In adult retina, 3 neuronal types express sdk1 but not sdk2 at detectable levels, 5 express sdk2 but not sdk1 and 3 express both. Patterns of gene expression and protein localization at or near synapses are established during the first postnatal week. Dendrites of amacrine cells and RGCs that express sdk1 but not sdk2 arborize in the same narrow stratum in the center of the IPL. In the absence of Sdk1, this laminar restriction is degraded. Overexpression of sdk1 in developing cells that normally express sdk2 reorients their dendrites to resemble those of endogenously Sdk1-positive cells, indicating that Sdk1 plays an instructive role in patterning the IPL. Sdk1 fails to affect arbors when introduced after they are mature, suggesting that it is required to form but not maintain laminar restrictions. The effect of ectopically expressed sdk1 requires the presence of endogenous Sdk1, suggesting that the effect requires homophilic interactions among Sdk1-positive neurites. Together with previous results on Sdk2, Dscam, DscamL1, as well as the related Contactins, our results support the idea that an elaborate immunoglobulin superfamily code plays a prominent role in establishing neural circuits in the retina by means of tightly regulated cell type-specific expression and homophilically restricted intercellular interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahito Yamagata
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Joshua R Sanes
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
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9
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Kim T, Kerschensteiner D. Inhibitory Control of Feature Selectivity in an Object Motion Sensitive Circuit of the Retina. Cell Rep 2018; 19:1343-1350. [PMID: 28514655 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.04.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2017] [Revised: 04/15/2017] [Accepted: 04/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Object motion sensitive (OMS) W3-retinal ganglion cells (W3-RGCs) in mice respond to local movements in a visual scene but remain silent during self-generated global image motion. The excitatory inputs that drive responses of W3-RGCs to local motion were recently characterized, but which inhibitory neurons suppress W3-RGCs' responses to global motion, how these neurons encode motion information, and how their connections are organized along the excitatory circuit axis remains unknown. Here, we find that a genetically identified amacrine cell (AC) type, TH2-AC, exhibits fast responses to global motion and slow responses to local motion. Optogenetic stimulation shows that TH2-ACs provide strong GABAA receptor-mediated input to W3-RGCs but only weak input to upstream excitatory neurons. Cell-type-specific silencing reveals that temporally coded inhibition from TH2-ACs cancels W3-RGC spike responses to global but not local motion stimuli and, thus, controls the feature selectivity of OMS signals sent to the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahnbee Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Daniel Kerschensteiner
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA; Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA.
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10
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Tetenborg S, Yadav SC, Hormuzdi SG, Monyer H, Janssen-Bienhold U, Dedek K. Differential Distribution of Retinal Ca 2+/Calmodulin-Dependent Kinase II (CaMKII) Isoforms Indicates CaMKII-β and -δ as Specific Elements of Electrical Synapses Made of Connexin36 (Cx36). Front Mol Neurosci 2017; 10:425. [PMID: 29311815 PMCID: PMC5742114 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2017.00425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
AII amacrine cells are essential interneurons of the primary rod pathway and transmit rod-driven signals to ON cone bipolar cells to enable scotopic vision. Gap junctions made of connexin36 (Cx36) mediate electrical coupling among AII cells and between AII cells and ON cone bipolar cells. These gap junctions underlie a remarkable degree of plasticity and are modulated by different signaling cascades. In particular, Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) has been characterized as an important regulator of Cx36, capable of potentiating electrical coupling in AII cells. However, it is unclear which CaMKII isoform mediates this effect. To obtain a more detailed understanding of the isoform composition of CaMKII at retinal gap junctions, we analyzed the retinal distribution of all four CaMKII isoforms using confocal microscopy. These experiments revealed a differential distribution of CaMKII isoforms: CaMKII-α was strongly expressed in starburst amacrine cells, which are known to lack electrical coupling. CaMKII-β was abundant in OFF bipolar cells, which form electrical synapses in the outer and the inner retina. CaMKII-γ was diffusely distributed across the entire retina and could not be assigned to a specific cell type. CaMKII-δ labeling was evident in bipolar and AII amacrine cells, which contain the majority of Cx36-immunoreactive puncta in the inner retina. We double-labeled retinas for Cx36 and the four CaMKII isoforms and revealed that the composition of the CaMKII enzyme differs between gap junctions in the outer and the inner retina: in the outer retina, only CaMKII-β colocalized with Cx36-containing gap junctions, whereas in the inner retina, CaMKII-β and -δ colocalized with Cx36. This finding suggests that gap junctions in the inner and the outer retina may be regulated differently although they both contain the same connexin. Taken together, our study identifies CaMKII-β and -δ as Cx36-specific regulators in the mouse retina with CaMKII-δ regulating the primary rod pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Tetenborg
- Animal Navigation/Neurosensorics, Institute for Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Shubhash C Yadav
- Animal Navigation/Neurosensorics, Institute for Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Sheriar G Hormuzdi
- Division of Neuroscience, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ulrike Janssen-Bienhold
- Visual Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany.,Research Center Neurosensory Science, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Karin Dedek
- Animal Navigation/Neurosensorics, Institute for Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany.,Research Center Neurosensory Science, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
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11
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Brüggen B, Kremser C, Bickert A, Ebel P, Vom Dorp K, Schultz K, Dörmann P, Willecke K, Dedek K. Defective ceramide synthases in mice cause reduced amplitudes in electroretinograms and altered sphingolipid composition in retina and cornea. Eur J Neurosci 2016; 44:1700-13. [PMID: 27086873 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.13260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2016] [Accepted: 04/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Complex sphingolipids are strongly expressed in neuronal tissue and contain ceramides in their backbone. Ceramides are synthesized by six ceramide synthases (CerS1-6). Although it is known that each tissue has a unique profile of ceramide synthase expression and ceramide synthases are implicated in several neurodegenerative disorders, the expression of ceramide synthase isoforms has not been investigated in the retina. Here we demonstrate CerS1, CerS2 and CerS4 expression in mouse retina and cornea, with CerS4 ubiquitously expressed in all retinal neurons and Müller cells. To test whether ceramide synthase deficiency affects retinal function, we compared electroretinograms and retina morphology between wild-type and CerS1-, CerS2- and CerS4-deficient mice. Electroretinograms were strongly reduced in amplitude in ceramide synthase-deficient mice, suggesting that signalling in the outer retina is affected. However, the number of photoreceptors and cone outer segment length were unaltered and no changes in retinal layer thickness or synaptic structures were found. Mass spectrometric analyses of ceramides, hexosyl-ceramides and sphingomyelins showed that C20 to C24 acyl-containing species were decreased whereas C16-containing species were increased in the retina of ceramide synthase-deficient mice. Similar but smaller changes were also found in the cornea. Thus, we hypothesize that the replacement of very long-chain fatty acyl residues by shorter C16 residues may affect the electrical properties of retina and cornea, and alter receptor-mediated signal transduction, vesicle-mediated synaptic transmission or corneal light transmission. Future studies need to identify the molecular targets of ceramides or derived sphingolipids in light signal transduction and transmission in the eye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Brüggen
- Neurobiology, University of Oldenburg, 26111, Oldenburg, Germany
| | | | - Andreas Bickert
- Life and Medical Sciences Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Philipp Ebel
- Life and Medical Sciences Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Katharina Vom Dorp
- Institute of Molecular Physiology and Biotechnology of Plants, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Konrad Schultz
- Neurobiology, University of Oldenburg, 26111, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Peter Dörmann
- Institute of Molecular Physiology and Biotechnology of Plants, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Klaus Willecke
- Life and Medical Sciences Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Karin Dedek
- Neurobiology, University of Oldenburg, 26111, Oldenburg, Germany.,Research Center Neurosensory Science, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
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12
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Meyer A, Tetenborg S, Greb H, Segelken J, Dorgau B, Weiler R, Hormuzdi SG, Janssen-Bienhold U, Dedek K. Connexin30.2: In Vitro Interaction with Connexin36 in HeLa Cells and Expression in AII Amacrine Cells and Intrinsically Photosensitive Ganglion Cells in the Mouse Retina. Front Mol Neurosci 2016; 9:36. [PMID: 27303262 PMCID: PMC4882342 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2016.00036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2016] [Accepted: 05/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Electrical coupling via gap junctions is an abundant phenomenon in the mammalian retina and occurs in all major cell types. Gap junction channels are assembled from different connexin subunits, and the connexin composition of the channel confers specific properties to the electrical synapse. In the mouse retina, gap junctions were demonstrated between intrinsically photosensitive ganglion cells and displaced amacrine cells but the underlying connexin remained undetermined. In the primary rod pathway, gap junctions play a crucial role, coupling AII amacrine cells among each other and to ON cone bipolar cells. Although it has long been known that connexin36 and connexin45 are necessary for the proper functioning of this most sensitive rod pathway, differences between homocellular AII/AII gap junctions and AII/ON bipolar cell gap junctions suggested the presence of an additional connexin in AII amacrine cells. Here, we used a connexin30.2-lacZ mouse line to study the expression of connexin30.2 in the retina. We show that connexin30.2 is expressed in intrinsically photosensitive ganglion cells and AII amacrine cells. Moreover, we tested whether connexin30.2 and connexin36-both expressed in AII amacrine cells-are able to interact with each other and are deposited in the same gap junctional plaques. Using newly generated anti-connexin30.2 antibodies, we show in HeLa cells that both connexins are indeed able to interact and may form heteromeric channels: both connexins were co-immunoprecipitated from transiently transfected HeLa cells and connexin30.2 gap junction plaques became significantly larger when co-expressed with connexin36. These data suggest that connexin36 is able to form heteromeric gap junctions with another connexin. We hypothesize that co-expression of connexin30.2 and connexin36 may endow AII amacrine cells with the means to differentially regulate its electrical coupling to different synaptic partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arndt Meyer
- Department of Neuroscience and Neurobiology, University of Oldenburg Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Stephan Tetenborg
- Department of Neuroscience and Neurobiology, University of Oldenburg Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Helena Greb
- Department of Neuroscience and Neurobiology, University of Oldenburg Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Jasmin Segelken
- Department of Neuroscience and Neurobiology, University of Oldenburg Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Birthe Dorgau
- Department of Neuroscience and Neurobiology, University of Oldenburg Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Reto Weiler
- Department of Neuroscience and Neurobiology, University of OldenburgOldenburg, Germany; Research Center Neurosensory Science, University of OldenburgOldenburg, Germany
| | | | - Ulrike Janssen-Bienhold
- Department of Neuroscience and Neurobiology, University of OldenburgOldenburg, Germany; Research Center Neurosensory Science, University of OldenburgOldenburg, Germany
| | - Karin Dedek
- Department of Neuroscience and Neurobiology, University of OldenburgOldenburg, Germany; Research Center Neurosensory Science, University of OldenburgOldenburg, Germany
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13
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Vuong HE, Pérez de Sevilla Müller L, Hardi CN, McMahon DG, Brecha NC. Heterogeneous transgene expression in the retinas of the TH-RFP, TH-Cre, TH-BAC-Cre and DAT-Cre mouse lines. Neuroscience 2015; 307:319-37. [PMID: 26335381 PMCID: PMC4603663 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.08.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2015] [Revised: 08/21/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Transgenic mouse lines are essential tools for understanding the connectivity, physiology and function of neuronal circuits, including those in the retina. This report compares transgene expression in the retina of a tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-red fluorescent protein (RFP) mouse line with three catecholamine-related Cre recombinase mouse lines [TH-bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC)-, TH-, and dopamine transporter (DAT)-Cre] that were crossed with a ROSA26-tdTomato reporter line. Retinas were evaluated and immunostained with commonly used antibodies including those directed to TH, GABA and glycine to characterize the RFP or tdTomato fluorescent-labeled amacrine cells, and an antibody directed to RNA-binding protein with multiple splicing to identify ganglion cells. In TH-RFP retinas, types 1 and 2 dopamine (DA) amacrine cells were identified by their characteristic cellular morphology and type 1 DA cells by their expression of TH immunoreactivity. In the TH-BAC-, TH-, and DAT-tdTomato retinas, less than 1%, ∼ 6%, and 0%, respectively, of the fluorescent cells were the expected type 1 DA amacrine cells. Instead, in the TH-BAC-tdTomato retinas, fluorescently labeled AII amacrine cells were predominant, with some medium diameter ganglion cells. In TH-tdTomato retinas, fluorescence was in multiple neurochemical amacrine cell types, including four types of polyaxonal amacrine cells. In DAT-tdTomato retinas, fluorescence was in GABA immunoreactive amacrine cells, including two types of bistratified and two types of monostratified amacrine cells. Although each of the Cre lines was generated with the intent to specifically label DA cells, our findings show a cellular diversity in Cre expression in the adult retina and indicate the importance of careful characterization of transgene labeling patterns. These mouse lines with their distinctive cellular labeling patterns will be useful tools for future studies of retinal function and visual processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- H E Vuong
- Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Physiology Program, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States; Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States; Jules Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
| | - L Pérez de Sevilla Müller
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
| | - C N Hardi
- Department of Psychology, College of Letters and Science, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
| | - D G McMahon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, United States
| | - N C Brecha
- Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Physiology Program, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States; Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States; Jules Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States; CURE-Digestive Diseases Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States; Veterans Administration Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States.
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14
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DSCAM promotes refinement in the mouse retina through cell death and restriction of exploring dendrites. J Neurosci 2015; 35:5640-54. [PMID: 25855178 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2202-14.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study we develop and use a gain-of-function mouse allele of the Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule (Dscam) to complement loss-of-function models. We assay the role of Dscam in promoting cell death, spacing, and laminar targeting of neurons in the developing mouse retina. We find that ectopic or overexpression of Dscam is sufficient to drive cell death. Gain-of-function studies indicate that Dscam is not sufficient to increase spatial organization, prevent cell-to-cell pairing, or promote active avoidance in the mouse retina, despite the similarity of the Dscam loss-of-function phenotype in the mouse retina to phenotypes observed in Drosophila Dscam1 mutants. Both gain- and loss-of-function studies support a role for Dscam in targeting neurites; DSCAM is necessary for precise dendrite lamination, and is sufficient to retarget neurites of outer retinal cells after ectopic expression. We further demonstrate that DSCAM guides dendrite targeting in type 2 dopaminergic amacrine cells, by restricting the stratum in which exploring retinal dendrites stabilize, in a Dscam dosage-dependent manner. Based on these results we propose a single model to account for the numerous Dscam gain- and loss-of-function phenotypes reported in the mouse retina whereby DSCAM eliminates inappropriately placed cells and connections.
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