Gonadotropin inhibitory hormone inhibits basal forebrain vGluT2-gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons via a direct postsynaptic mechanism

Human reproduction is controlled by ~2,000 hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons. Here we report the discovery and characterization of additional ~150,000-200,000 GnRH-synthesizing cells in the human basal ganglia and basal forebrain. Nearly all extrahypothalamic GnRH neurons expressed the cholinergic marker enzyme choline acetyltransferase. Similarly, hypothalamic GnRH neurons were also cholinergic both in embryonic and adult human brains. Whole-transcriptome analysis of cholinergic interneurons and medium spiny projection neurons laser-microdissected from the human putamen showed selective expression of GNRH1 and GNRHR1 autoreceptors in the cholinergic cell population and uncovered the detailed transcriptome profile and molecular connectome of these two cell types. Higher-order non-reproductive functions regulated by GnRH under physiological conditions in the human basal ganglia and basal forebrain require clarification. The role and changes of GnRH/GnRHR1 signaling in neurodegenerative disorders affecting cholinergic neurocircuitries, including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, need to be explored.

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The cryptic gonadotropin-releasing hormone neuronal system of human basal ganglia

10.1101/2021.03.04.433872 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Katalin Skrapits ◽

Miklós Sárvári ◽

Imre Farkas ◽

Balázs Göcz ◽

Szabolcs Takács ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Basal Ganglia ◽

Basal Forebrain ◽

Cell Types ◽

Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone ◽

Human Reproduction ◽

Projection Neurons ◽

Neuronal System ◽

Releasing Hormone ◽

Cholinergic Interneurons ◽

Gnrh Neurons

Human reproduction is controlled by ~2,000 hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons. Here we report the discovery and characterization of additional 150-200,000 GnRH-synthesizing cells in the human basal ganglia and basal forebrain. Extrahypothalamic GnRH neurons were cholinergic. Though undetectable in adult rodents, the GnRH-GFP transgene was expressed transiently by caudate-putamen cholinergic interneurons in newborn transgenic mice. In slice electrophysiological studies, GnRH inhibited these interneurons via GnRHR1 autoreceptors. Whole-transcriptome analysis of cholinergic interneurons and medium spiny projection neurons laser-microdissected from the human putamen confirmed selective expression of GnRH and GnRHR1 autoreceptors in cholinergic cells and uncovered the detailed transcriptome profile and molecular connectome of these two cell types. Higher-order non-reproductive functions regulated by GnRH under physiological conditions in the human basal ganglia and basal forebrain require clarification. GnRH/GnRHR1 signaling as a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders affecting cholinergic neurocircuitries, including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, needs to be explored.

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