Organization of Interlaminar Interactions in the Rat Superior Colliculus

2005 ◽  
Vol 93 (5) ◽  
pp. 2898-2907 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasuhiko Saito ◽  
Tadashi Isa
Keyword(s):  
Superior Colliculus ◽  
Signal Transmission ◽  
Burst Activity ◽  
Wide Field ◽  
Whole Cell ◽  
Low Concentration ◽  
Minor Population ◽  
Rectangular Piece ◽  
A Minor ◽  
Whole Cell Recordings

Our previous studies have shown that when slices of the rat superior colliculus (SC) are exposed to a solution containing 10 μM bicuculline and a low concentration of Mg2+ (0.1 mM), most neurons in the intermediate gray layer (stratum griseum intermediale; SGI), wide-field vertical (WFV) cells in the optic layer (stratum opticum; SO), and a minor population of neurons in the superficial gray layer (stratum griseum superficiale; SGS) exhibit spontaneous depolarization and burst firing, which are synchronous among adjacent neurons. These spontaneous and synchronous depolarizations were thought to share common mechanisms with presaccadic burst activity in SGI neurons. In the present study, we explored the site responsible for generation of synchronous depolarization of SGI neurons by performing dual whole cell recordings under different slice conditions. A pair of SGI neurons recorded in a small rectangular piece of the SGI punched out from the SC slice showed synchronous depolarization but far less frequently than those recorded in a small rectangular piece including SGS and SO. This suggests that the superficial layers are needed for triggering synchronous depolarization in the SGI. Furthermore, we recorded spontaneous depolarizations in pairs of neurons belonging to the different layers. Analysis of their synchronicity revealed that WFV cells in the SO exhibit synchronous depolarizations with both SGS and SGI neurons, and the onset of spontaneous depolarization in WFV cells precedes those of neurons in other layers. Further, when SGS and SGI neurons exhibit synchronous depolarizations, SGI neurons usually precede the SGS neurons. These observations give further evidence to the existence of interlaminar interaction between superficial and deeper layers of the SC. In addition, it is suggested that WFV cells can trigger burst activity in other layers of the SC and that there is an excitatory signal transmission from the deeper layers to the superficial layers.

scholarly journals Laminar Specific Distribution of Lateral Excitatory Connections in the Rat Superior Colliculus

2004 ◽  
Vol 92 (6) ◽  
pp. 3500-3510 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasuhiko Saito ◽  
Tadashi Isa
Keyword(s):  
Signal Processing ◽  
Nmda Receptor ◽  
Synaptic Transmission ◽  
Superior Colliculus ◽  
Neuronal Population ◽  
Wide Field ◽  
Specific Distribution ◽  
Excitatory Network ◽  
Voltage Dependent ◽  
Whole Cell Recordings

Premovement activities in neurons in the intermediate gray layer [stratum griseum intermediale (SGI)] of the mammalian superior colliculus (SC) are essential for initiation of orienting behaviors such as saccades. Our previous study demonstrated that burst activities are induced by synchronous activation of SGI neurons communicating within a local excitatory network, which depends on NMDA-receptor–dependent synaptic transmission and release from GABAA inhibition. Furthermore, dual whole cell recordings from adjacent neurons in SGI revealed that application of 10 μM bicuculline (Bic) and reduction of extracellular Mg2+ concentration (to 0.1 mM) induce spontaneous depolarization that is synchronous between neuron pairs, suggesting the recruitment of a large number of neurons communicating through intense excitatory connections. In the present study, we investigated the properties of synchronous depolarization and the fundamental structure of the lateral excitatory network that recruits a neuronal population in SC to synchronous activation, by analyzing the synchronicity of spontaneous depolarization induced in the presence of Bic plus low Mg2+. We found that 1) spontaneous depolarization exhibits bidirectional horizontal propagation among the SGI neuron pairs; 2) induction of spontaneous depolarization is not caused by activation of intrinsic voltage-dependent conductances; 3) neurons exposed to low Mg2+ alone exhibit spontaneous depolarization, although in this case the depolarization is less synchronous; and 4) neurons exposed to Bic alone exhibit synchronous depolarization, but less frequently than those exposed to both Bic and low Mg2+. Analysis of the synchronicity of spontaneous depolarization indicates that the distribution of lateral excitatory connections is markedly different among layers of SC; the SGI neurons form extensive lateral excitatory connections, whereas they are sparse or limited within subsets of neurons in the stratum griseum superficiale (SGS). Wide-field vertical neurons in the stratum opticum have features intermediate between neurons in the SGS and SGI. Such differences in the structure of lateral excitatory connections may reflect the different way signal processing is achieved in each layer of SC.

Polysaccharide Structures in the Outer Mucilage of Arabidopsis Seeds Visualized by AFM

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
MAK Williams ◽  
V Cornuault ◽  
AH Irani ◽  
VV Symonds ◽  
J Malmström ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Average Length ◽  
American Chemical Society ◽  
Md Simulations ◽  
Chemical Society ◽  
Side Chains ◽  
Rhamnogalacturonan I ◽  
Afm Imaging ◽  
Minor Population ◽  
The Stability ◽  
A Minor

© 2020 American Chemical Society. Evidence is presented that the polysaccharide rhamnogalacturonan I (RGI) can be biosynthesized in remarkably organized branched configurations and surprisingly long versions and can self-assemble into a plethora of structures. AFM imaging has been applied to study the outer mucilage obtained from wild-type (WT) and mutant (bxl1-3 and cesa5-1) Arabidopsis thaliana seeds. For WT mucilage, ordered, multichain structures of the polysaccharide RGI were observed, with a helical twist visible in favorable circumstances. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations demonstrated the stability of several possible multichain complexes and the possibility of twisted fibril formation. For bxl1-3 seeds, the imaged polymers clearly showed the presence of side chains. These were surprisingly regular and well organized with an average length of ∼100 nm and a spacing of ∼50 nm. The heights of the side chains imaged were suggestive of single polysaccharide chains, while the backbone was on average 4 times this height and showed regular height variations along its length consistent with models of multichain fibrils examined in MD. Finally, in mucilage extracts from cesa5-1 seeds, a minor population of chains in excess of 30 μm long was observed.

Opioid-Activated Postsynaptic, Inward Rectifying Potassium Currents in Whole Cell Recordings in Substantia Gelatinosa Neurons

1998 ◽  
Vol 80 (6) ◽  
pp. 2954-2962 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. P. Schneider ◽  
W. A. Eckert ◽  
A. R. Light
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Potential ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Potassium Currents ◽  
Substantia Gelatinosa ◽  
Opioid Agonist ◽  
Membrane Hyperpolarization ◽  
Whole Cell ◽  
Protein Activation ◽  
G Protein Activation ◽  
Whole Cell Recordings

Schneider, S. P., W. A. Eckert III, and A. R. Light. Opioid-activated postsynaptic, inward rectifying potassium currents in whole cell recordings in substantia gelatinosa neurons. J. Neurophysiol. 80: 2954–2962, 1998. Using tight-seal, whole cell recordings from isolated transverse slices of hamster and rat spinal cord, we investigated the effects of the μ-opioid agonist (d-Ala2, N-Me-Phe4,Gly5-ol)-enkephalin (DAMGO) on the membrane potential and conductance of substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurons. We observed that bath application of 1–5 μM DAMGO caused a robust and repeatable hyperpolarization in membrane potential ( V m) and decrease in neuronal input resistance ( R N) in 60% (27/45) of hamster neurons and 39% (9/23) of rat neurons, but significantly only when ATP (2 mM) and guanosine 5′-triphosphate (GTP; 100 μM) were included in the patch pipette internal solution. An ED50 of 50 nM was observed for the hyperpolarization in rat SG neurons. Because G-protein mediation of opioid effects has been shown in other systems, we tested if the nucleotide requirement for opioid hyperpolarization in SG neurons was due to G-protein activation. GTP was replaced with the nonhydrolyzable GTP analogue guanosine-5′- O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP-γ-S; 100 μM), which enabled DAMGO to activate a nonreversible membrane hyperpolarization. Further, intracellular application of guanosine-5′- O-(2-thiodiphosphate) (GDP-β-S; 500 μM), which blocks G-protein activation, abolished the effects of DAMGO. We conclude that spinal SG neurons are particularly susceptible to dialysis of GTP by whole cell recording techniques. Moreover, the depletion of GTP leads to the inactivation of G-proteins that mediate μ-opioid activation of an inward-rectifying, potassium conductance in these neurons. These results explain the discrepancy between the opioid-activated hyperpolarization in SG neurons observed in previous sharp electrode experiments and the more recent failures to observe these effects with whole cell patch techniques.

Neurofilament proteins are co-expressed with desmin in heart conduction system myocytes

1990 ◽  
Vol 97 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-21
Author(s):  
M. Vitadello ◽  
M. Matteoli ◽  
L. Gorza
Keyword(s):  
Subcellular Distribution ◽  
Ultrastructural Level ◽  
Rabbit Heart ◽  
Cardiac Cells ◽  
Structural Components ◽  
Minor Population ◽  
Neuronal Proteins ◽  
Tissue Homogenates ◽  
A Minor

We have recently shown that specialized myocytes of the rabbit heart express a cytoskeletal protein similar to the M subunit of neurofilaments (NF). Since this result was obtained using a single anti-NF-M monoclonal antibody, we tested on conduction myocytes a panel of five anti-NF antibodies, specific for each of the three NF subunits and for phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated epitopes. Two antibodies, one specific for the L subunit and one for phosphorylated M subunit of NF, reacted with specialized myocytes in immunohistochemistry. In immunoblots on conduction tissue homogenates the two antibodies recognized two polypeptides with electrophoretic mobility and solubility properties identical to those of NF-L and NF-M in the sciatic nerve. The subcellular distribution of NF immunoreactivity in specialized myocytes was very similar to desmin localization; namely, it was distributed on large filamentous bundles and on fine filaments localized transversely at the level of the Z line. At the ultrastructural level, immunoreactive filaments were localized in the intermyofibrillar space and connected myofibrils with mitochondria. Co-expression of NF proteins and desmin was also observed in vitro in a minor population of cardiac myocytes cultured from embryonic rabbit heart. In most cases NF immunoreactivity co-localized with desmin, especially where filaments were well organized, but in some cells anti-NF and anti-desmin antibodies labelled different filamentous structures. These results indicate that NF proteins are structural components of the cytoskeleton of specialized myocytes and show a subcellular distribution very similar to desmin. Such a composition of intermediate filaments indicates that in these cardiac cells muscle differentiation is compatible with the expression of neuronal proteins.

Functional Characterization of GABAA Receptors in Neonatal Hypothalamic Brain Slice

2002 ◽  
Vol 88 (4) ◽  
pp. 1655-1663 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ren-Qi Huang ◽  
Glenn H. Dillon
Keyword(s):  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Minor Component ◽  
Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate ◽  
Receptor Subtypes ◽  
Hypothalamic Neurons ◽  
Inhibitory Neurotransmitter ◽  
Old Rats ◽  
A Minor ◽  
Whole Cell Recordings

The hypothalamus influences a number of autonomic functions. The activity of hypothalamic neurons is modulated in part by release of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA onto these neurons. GABAA receptors are formed from a number of distinct subunits, designated α, β, γ, δ, ε, and θ, many of which have multiple isoforms. Little data exist, however, on the functional characteristics of the GABAA receptors present on hypothalamic neurons. To gain insight into which GABAA receptor subunits are functionally expressed in the hypothalamus, we used an array of pharmacologic assessments. Whole cell recordings were made from thin hypothalamic slices obtained from 1- to 14-day-old rats. GABAA receptor-mediated currents were detected in all neurons tested and had an average EC50 of 20 ± 1.6 μM. Hypothalamic GABAA receptors were modulated by diazepam (EC50 = 0.060 μM), zolpidem (EC50 = 0.19 μM), loreclezole (EC50 = 4.4 μM), methyl-6,7-dimethoxy-4-ethyl-β-carboline (EC50= 7.7 μM), and 5α-pregnan-3α-hydroxy-20-one (3α-OH-DHP). Conversely, these receptors were inhibited by Zn2+ (IC50 = 70.5 μM), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (IC50 = 16.7 μM), and picrotoxin (IC50 = 2.6 μM). The α4/6-selective antagonist furosemide (10–1,000 μM) was ineffective in all hypothalamic neurons tested. The results of our pharmacological analysis suggest that hypothalamic neurons express functional GABAA receptor subtypes that incorporate α1 and/or α2 subunits, β2 and/or β3 subunits, and the γ2 subunit. Our results suggest receptors expressing α3–α6, β1, γ1, and δ, if present, represent a minor component of functional hypothalamic GABAA receptors.

Role of chloride-homeostasis in the inhibitory control of neuronal network oscillators

1996 ◽  
Vol 75 (6) ◽  
pp. 2654-2657 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Jarolimek ◽  
H. Brunner ◽  
A. Lewen ◽  
U. Misgeld
Keyword(s):  
Glycine Receptor ◽  
Membrane Conductance ◽  
Burst Activity ◽  
Synaptic Activity ◽  
Gamma Aminobutyric Acid ◽  
Chloride Homeostasis ◽  
Outward Transport ◽  
Whole Cell Recordings ◽  
Rhythmic Burst

1. Spontaneous synaptic activity in networks formed by dissociated neurons from embryonic rat midbrain was analyzed in tight seal whole cell recordings. 2. Application of furosemide (0.5 mM) to the cell and its surrounding area increased the frequency of spontaneous synaptic currents. Incubation of the culture with furosemide resulted in “rhythmic” burst activity. 3. Furosemide (0.1-0.5 mM) changed equilibrium potentials of inhibitory postsynaptic currents, gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABAA) or glycine receptor-mediated Cl- currents by a blockade of Cl(-)-outward transport. Furosemide did not alter the slope conductance of GABAA receptor-mediated currents. Membrane conductance and cell excitability were also unaffected. 4. We conclude that furosemide locked the activity of the network in “burst activity” mode through impairment of inhibition resulting from the disturbance of Cl- homeostasis.

Dichotomy of Action-Potential Backpropagation in CA1 Pyramidal Neuron Dendrites

2001 ◽  
Vol 86 (6) ◽  
pp. 2998-3010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nace L. Golding ◽  
William L. Kath ◽  
Nelson Spruston
Keyword(s):  
Action Potential ◽  
Action Potentials ◽  
Pyramidal Neurons ◽  
Synaptic Activity ◽  
Resting Potential ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Voltage Sensitivity ◽  
Whole Cell ◽  
Ca1 Pyramidal Neurons ◽  
Whole Cell Recordings

In hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons, action potentials are typically initiated in the axon and backpropagate into the dendrites, shaping the integration of synaptic activity and influencing the induction of synaptic plasticity. Despite previous reports describing action-potential propagation in the proximal apical dendrites, the extent to which action potentials invade the distal dendrites of CA1 pyramidal neurons remains controversial. Using paired somatic and dendritic whole cell recordings, we find that in the dendrites proximal to 280 μm from the soma, single backpropagating action potentials exhibit <50% attenuation from their amplitude in the soma. However, in dendritic recordings distal to 300 μm from the soma, action potentials in most cells backpropagated either strongly (26–42% attenuation; n = 9/20) or weakly (71–87% attenuation; n = 10/20) with only one cell exhibiting an intermediate value (45% attenuation). In experiments combining dual somatic and dendritic whole cell recordings with calcium imaging, the amount of calcium influx triggered by backpropagating action potentials was correlated with the extent of action-potential invasion of the distal dendrites. Quantitative morphometric analyses revealed that the dichotomy in action-potential backpropagation occurred in the presence of only subtle differences in either the diameter of the primary apical dendrite or branching pattern. In addition, action-potential backpropagation was not dependent on a number of electrophysiological parameters (input resistance, resting potential, voltage sensitivity of dendritic spike amplitude). There was, however, a striking correlation of the shape of the action potential at the soma with its amplitude in the dendrite; larger, faster-rising, and narrower somatic action potentials exhibited more attenuation in the distal dendrites (300–410 μm from the soma). Simple compartmental models of CA1 pyramidal neurons revealed that a dichotomy in action-potential backpropagation could be generated in response to subtle manipulations of the distribution of either sodium or potassium channels in the dendrites. Backpropagation efficacy could also be influenced by local alterations in dendritic side branches, but these effects were highly sensitive to model parameters. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that the observed dichotomy in dendritic action-potential amplitude is conferred primarily by differences in the distribution, density, or modulatory state of voltage-gated channels along the somatodendritic axis.

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