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Leinders-Zufall T, Storch U, Mederos y Schnitzler M, Ojha NK, Koike K, Gudermann T, Zufall F. A diacylglycerol photoswitching protocol for studying TRPC channel functions in mammalian cells and tissue slices. STAR Protoc 2021; 2:100527. [PMID: 34027485 PMCID: PMC8121987 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2021.100527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Small molecular probes designed for photopharmacology and opto-chemogenetics are rapidly gaining widespread recognition for investigations of transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels. This protocol describes the use of three photoswitchable diacylglycerol analogs—PhoDAG-1, PhoDAG-3, and OptoDArG—for ultrarapid activation and deactivation of native TRPC2 channels in mouse vomeronasal sensory neurons and olfactory type B cells, as well as heterologously expressed human TRPC6 channels. Photoconversion can be achieved in mammalian tissue slices and enables all-optical stimulation and shutoff of TRPC channels. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Leinders-Zufall et al. (2018). DAG photoswitching enables ultrarapid activation and deactivation of TRPC channels Multiple photoswitchable DAG analogs are now available DAG photoconversion is sufficient for the gating of TRPC2, TRPC3, and TRPC6 Photoswitching combined with Ca2+ imaging enables all-optical stimulation and recording
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Affiliation(s)
- Trese Leinders-Zufall
- Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Ursula Storch
- Walther-Straub-Institut für Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80336 München, Germany
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80336 München, Germany
| | - Michael Mederos y Schnitzler
- Walther-Straub-Institut für Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80336 München, Germany
| | - Navin K. Ojha
- Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Kohei Koike
- Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Gudermann
- Walther-Straub-Institut für Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80336 München, Germany
| | - Frank Zufall
- Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany
- Corresponding author
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Liu Q, Zhang Y, Wang P, Guo X, Wu Y, Zhang JX, Huang L. Two Preputial Gland-Secreted Pheromones Evoke Sexually Dimorphic Neural Pathways in the Mouse Vomeronasal System. Front Cell Neurosci 2019; 13:455. [PMID: 31632243 PMCID: PMC6783556 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Hexadecanol (16OH) and hexadecyl acetate (16Ac) are two pheromones secreted in a large quantity by mouse preputial glands and act on male and female mice differentially. Yet the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms remain to be elucidated. In this study, we examined the activation of vomeronasal sensory neurons (VSNs) by these two pheromones and mapped the downstream neural circuits that process and relay their chemosignals. Using the calcium imaging method and immunohistochemistry, we found that a small number of VSNs were activated by 16OH, 16AC, or both in the male and female mice, most of which were located apically in the vomeronasal epithelium, and their numbers did not increase when the concentrations of 16OH and 16Ac were raised by 10,000-fold except that of female VSNs in response to 16OH. In the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB), the two pheromones evoked more c-Fos+ neurons in the anterior AOB (aAOB) than in the posterior AOB (pAOB); and the increases in the number of c-Fos+ neurons in both aAOB and pAOB were dose-dependent; and between sexes, the female AOB responded more strongly to 16OH than to 16Ac whereas the male AOB had the opposite response pattern. This sexual dimorphism was largely retained in the downstream brain regions, including the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), the medial amygdaloid nucleus (MeA), the posteromedial cortical amygdaloid nucleus (PMCo), the medial preoptic area (MPA), and the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VmH). Taken together, out data indicate that there is one V1r receptor each for 16OH, 16Ac, or both, and that activation of these receptors evokes sexually dimorphic neural circuits, directing different behavioral outputs and possibly modulating other pheromone-induced responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qun Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yaohua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Pan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yijun Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jian-Xu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Liquan Huang
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Wu Y, Ma L, Duyck K, Long CC, Moran A, Scheerer H, Blanck J, Peak A, Box A, Perera A, Yu CR. A Population of Navigator Neurons Is Essential for Olfactory Map Formation during the Critical Period. Neuron 2018; 100:1066-1082.e6. [PMID: 30482691 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2018.09.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In the developing brain, heightened plasticity during the critical period enables the proper formation of neural circuits. Here, we identify the "navigator" neurons, a group of perinatally born olfactory sensory neurons, as playing an essential role in establishing the olfactory map during the critical period. The navigator axons project circuitously in the olfactory bulb and traverse multiple glomeruli before terminating in perspective glomeruli. These neurons undergo a phase of exuberant axon growth and exhibit a shortened lifespan. Single-cell transcriptome analyses reveal distinct molecular signatures for the navigators. Extending their lifespan prolongs the period of exuberant growth and perturbs axon convergence. Conversely, a genetic ablation experiment indicates that, despite postnatal neurogenesis, only the navigators are endowed with the ability to establish a convergent map. The presence and the proper removal of the navigator neurons are both required to establish tight axon convergence into the glomeruli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunming Wu
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Limei Ma
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Kyle Duyck
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Carter C Long
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Andrea Moran
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Hayley Scheerer
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Jillian Blanck
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Allison Peak
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Andrew Box
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Anoja Perera
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - C Ron Yu
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA.
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Intracellular chloride concentration of the mouse vomeronasal neuron. BMC Neurosci 2015; 16:90. [PMID: 26667019 PMCID: PMC4678706 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-015-0230-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2015] [Accepted: 12/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The vomeronasal organ (VNO) is specialized in detecting pheromone and heterospecific cues in the environment. Recent studies demonstrate the involvement of multiple ion channels in VNO signal transduction, including the calcium-activated chloride channels (CACCs). Opening of CACCs appears to result in activation of VNO neuron through outflow of Cl− ions. However, the intracellular Cl− concentration remains undetermined. Results We used the chloride ion quenching dye, MQAE, to measure the intracellular Cl− concentration of VNO neuron in live VNO slices. The resting Cl− concentration in the VNO neurons is measured at 84.73 mM. Urine activation of the VNO neurons causes a drop in Cl− concentration, consistent with the notion of an efflux of Cl− to depolarize the cells. Similar observation is made for VNO neurons from mice with deletion of the transient receptor potential canonical channel 2 (TRPC2), which have a resting Cl− concentrations at 81 mM. Conclusions The VNO neurons rest at high intracellular Cl− concentration, which can lead to depolarization of the cell when chloride channels open. These results also provide additional support of TRPC2-independent pathway of VNO activation.
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Haga-Yamanaka S, Ma L, Yu CR. Tuning properties and dynamic range of type 1 vomeronasal receptors. Front Neurosci 2015; 9:244. [PMID: 26236183 PMCID: PMC4501179 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2015] [Accepted: 06/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The mouse vomeronasal organ (VNO) expresses chemosensory receptors that detect intra-species as well as inter-species cues. The vomeronasal neurons are thought to be highly selective in their responses. The tuning properties of individual receptors remain difficult to characterize due to the lack of a robust heterologous expression system. Here, we take a transgenic approach to ectopically express two type 1 vomeronasal receptors in the mouse VNO and characterize their responses to steroid compounds. We find that V1rj2 and V1rj3 are sensitive to two sulfated estrogens (SEs) and can be activated by a broad variety of sulfated and glucuronidated steroids at high concentrations. Individual neurons exhibit narrow range of concentration-dependent activation. Collectively, a neuronal population expressing the same receptor covers a wide dynamic range in their responses to SEs. These properties recapitulate the response profiles of endogenous neurons to SEs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Limei Ma
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - C Ron Yu
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research Kansas City, MO, USA ; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center Kansas City, KS, USA
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Haga-Yamanaka S, Ma L, He J, Qiu Q, Lavis LD, Looger LL, Yu CR. Integrated action of pheromone signals in promoting courtship behavior in male mice. eLife 2014; 3:e03025. [PMID: 25073926 PMCID: PMC4107909 DOI: 10.7554/elife.03025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian vomeronasal organ encodes pheromone information about gender, reproductive status, genetic background and individual differences. It remains unknown how pheromone information interacts to trigger innate behaviors. In this study, we identify vomeronasal receptors responsible for detecting female pheromones. A sub-group of V1re clade members recognizes gender-identifying cues in female urine. Multiple members of the V1rj clade are cognate receptors for urinary estrus signals, as well as for sulfated estrogen (SE) compounds. In both cases, the same cue activates multiple homologous receptors, suggesting redundancy in encoding female pheromone cues. Neither gender-specific cues nor SEs alone are sufficient to promote courtship behavior in male mice, whereas robust courtship behavior can be induced when the two cues are applied together. Thus, integrated action of different female cues is required in pheromone-triggered mating behavior. These results suggest a gating mechanism in the vomeronasal circuit in promoting specific innate behavior.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.03025.001.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Limei Ma
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, United States
| | - Jie He
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, United States
| | - Qiang Qiu
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, United States
| | - Luke D Lavis
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Janelia Farm Research Campus, Ashburn, United States
| | - Loren L Looger
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Janelia Farm Research Campus, Ashburn, United States
| | - C Ron Yu
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, United States Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, United States
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