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Rhee JK, Iwamoto Y, Baker BJ. Visualizing Oscillations in Brain Slices With Genetically Encoded Voltage Indicators. Front Neuroanat 2021; 15:741711. [PMID: 34795565 PMCID: PMC8592998 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2021.741711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVIs) expressed pan-neuronally were able to optically resolve bicuculline induced spontaneous oscillations in brain slices of the mouse motor cortex. Three GEVIs were used that differ in their timing of response to voltage transients as well as in their voltage ranges. The duration, number of cycles, and frequency of the recorded oscillations reflected the characteristics of each GEVI used. Multiple oscillations imaged in the same slice never originated at the same location, indicating the lack of a “hot spot” for induction of the voltage changes. Comparison of pan-neuronal, Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II α restricted, and parvalbumin restricted GEVI expression revealed distinct profiles for the excitatory and inhibitory cells in the spontaneous oscillations of the motor cortex. Resolving voltage fluctuations across space, time, and cell types with GEVIs represent a powerful approach to dissecting neuronal circuit activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Kyu Rhee
- Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul, South Korea.,Brain Science Creative Research Center, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea
| | | | - Bradley J Baker
- Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul, South Korea.,Brain Science Creative Research Center, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea
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Rhee JK, Leong LM, Mukim MSI, Kang BE, Lee S, Bilbao-Broch L, Baker BJ. Biophysical Parameters of GEVIs: Considerations for Imaging Voltage. Biophys J 2020; 119:1-8. [PMID: 32521239 PMCID: PMC7335909 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2020.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVIs) continue to evolve, resulting in many different probes with varying strengths and weaknesses. Developers of new GEVIs tend to highlight their positive features. A recent article from an independent laboratory has compared the signal/noise ratios of a number of GEVIs. Such a comparison can be helpful to investigators eager to try to image the voltage of excitable cells. In this perspective, we will present examples of how the biophysical features of GEVIs affect the imaging of excitable cells in an effort to assist researchers when considering probes for their specific needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Kyu Rhee
- Center for Functional Connectomics, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, Republic of Korea; Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Lee Min Leong
- Center for Functional Connectomics, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, Republic of Korea; Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Md Sofequl Islam Mukim
- Center for Functional Connectomics, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, Republic of Korea; Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Bok Eum Kang
- Center for Functional Connectomics, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungmoo Lee
- Center for Functional Connectomics, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Laura Bilbao-Broch
- Center for Functional Connectomics, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, Republic of Korea; Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Bradley J Baker
- Center for Functional Connectomics, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, Republic of Korea; Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Toward Better Genetically Encoded Sensors of Membrane Potential. Trends Neurosci 2017; 39:277-289. [PMID: 27130905 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2016.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Revised: 01/25/2016] [Accepted: 02/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Genetically encoded optical sensors of cell activity are powerful tools that can be targeted to specific cell types. This is especially important in neuroscience because individual brain regions can include a multitude of different cell types. Optical imaging allows for simultaneous recording from numerous neurons or brain regions. Optical signals of membrane potential are useful because membrane potential changes are a direct sign of both synaptic and action potentials. Here we describe recent improvements in the in vitro and in vivo signal size and kinetics of genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVIs) and discuss their relationship to alternative sensors of neural activity.
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Benedetti L, Ghilardi A, Prosperi L, Francolini M, Del Giacco L. Biosensing Motor Neuron Membrane Potential in Live Zebrafish Embryos. J Vis Exp 2017. [PMID: 28671644 DOI: 10.3791/55297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The protocols described here are designed to allow researchers to study cell communication without altering the integrity of the environment in which the cells are located. Specifically, they have been developed to analyze the electrical activity of excitable cells, such as spinal neurons. In such a scenario, it is crucial to preserve the integrity of the spinal cell, but it is also important to preserve the anatomy and physiological shape of the systems involved. Indeed, the comprehension of the manner in which the nervous system-and other complex systems-works must be based on a systemic approach. For this reason, the live zebrafish embryo was chosen as a model system, and the spinal neuron membrane voltage changes were evaluated without interfering with the physiological conditions of the embryos. Here, an approach combining the employment of zebrafish embryos with a FRET-based biosensor is described. Zebrafish embryos are characterized by a very simplified nervous system and are particularly suited for imaging applications thanks to their transparency, allowing for the employment of fluorescence-based voltage indicators at the plasma membrane during zebrafish development. The synergy between these two components makes it possible to analyze the electrical activity of the cells in intact living organisms, without perturbing the physiological state. Finally, this non-invasive approach can co-exist with other analyses (e.g., spontaneous movement recordings, as shown here).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Benedetti
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano; Department of Neuroscience; Department of Cell Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Yale University School of Medicine; Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair, Yale University School of Medicine
| | - Anna Ghilardi
- Department of BioSciences, Università degli Studi di Milano
| | - Laura Prosperi
- Department of BioSciences, Università degli Studi di Milano
| | - Maura Francolini
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano
| | - Luca Del Giacco
- Department of BioSciences, Università degli Studi di Milano;
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Nakajima R, Jung A, Yoon BJ, Baker BJ. Optogenetic Monitoring of Synaptic Activity with Genetically Encoded Voltage Indicators. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2016; 8:22. [PMID: 27547183 PMCID: PMC4974255 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2016.00022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The age of genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVIs) has matured to the point that changes in membrane potential can now be observed optically in vivo. Improving the signal size and speed of these voltage sensors has been the primary driving forces during this maturation process. As a result, there is a wide range of probes using different voltage detecting mechanisms and fluorescent reporters. As the use of these probes transitions from optically reporting membrane potential in single, cultured cells to imaging populations of cells in slice and/or in vivo, a new challenge emerges—optically resolving the different types of neuronal activity. While improvements in speed and signal size are still needed, optimizing the voltage range and the subcellular expression (i.e., soma only) of the probe are becoming more important. In this review, we will examine the ability of recently developed probes to report synaptic activity in slice and in vivo. The voltage-sensing fluorescent protein (VSFP) family of voltage sensors, ArcLight, ASAP-1, and the rhodopsin family of probes are all good at reporting changes in membrane potential, but all have difficulty distinguishing subthreshold depolarizations from action potentials and detecting neuronal inhibition when imaging populations of cells. Finally, we will offer a few possible ways to improve the optical resolution of the various types of neuronal activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryuichi Nakajima
- Center for Functional Connectomics, Korea Institute of Science and Technology Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Arong Jung
- Center for Functional Connectomics, Korea Institute of Science and TechnologySeongbuk-gu, Seoul, South Korea; College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea UniversitySeongbuk-gu, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Bong-June Yoon
- College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Bradley J Baker
- Center for Functional Connectomics, Korea Institute of Science and TechnologySeongbuk-gu, Seoul, South Korea; Department of Neuroscience, Korea University of Science and TechnologyDaejeon, South Korea
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