Optogenetic dissection of a behavioural module in the vertebrate spinal cord.

Full Abstract

Locomotion relies on neural networks called central pattern generators (CPGs) that generate periodic motor commands for rhythmic movements. In vertebrates, the excitatory synaptic drive for inducing the spinal CPG can originate from either supraspinal glutamatergic inputs or from within the spinal cord. Here we identify a spinal input to the CPG that drives spontaneous locomotion using a combination of intersectional gene expression and optogenetics in zebrafish larvae. The photo-stimulation of one specific cell type was sufficient to induce a symmetrical tail beating sequence that mimics spontaneous slow forward swimming. This neuron is the Kolmer-Agduhr cell, which extends cilia into the central cerebrospinal-fluid-containing canal of the spinal cord and has an ipsilateral ascending axon that terminates in a series of consecutive segments. Genetically silencing Kolmer-Agduhr cells reduced the frequency of spontaneous free swimming, indicating that activity of Kolmer-Agduhr cells provides necessary tone for spontaneous forward swimming. Kolmer-Agduhr cells have been known for over 75 years, but their function has been mysterious. Our results reveal that during early development in zebrafish these cells provide a positive drive to the spinal CPG for spontaneous locomotion.

Author information

Author/s: Wyart, Claire (C); Del Bene, Filippo (F); Warp, Erica (E); Scott, Ethan K (EK); Trauner, Dirk (D); Baier, Herwig (H); Isacoff, Ehud Y (EY);

Affiliation: Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute and Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California in Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, USA.

Grants: 5PN2EY018241 (Agency:NEI NIH HHS) ; R01 NS053358 (Agency:NINDS NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

Journal: Nature (Nature), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 461 (issue 7262) : pp 407-10

Dates: Created 2009/09/17; Completed 2009/10/13; Revised 2009/10/30;

PMID: 19759620, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/2/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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