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Distinct functions for cotransmitters mediating motor pattern selection.
1Department of Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6074, USA.
Summary
The modulatory proctolin neuron (MPN) uses distinct transmitters to control motor patterns. It uses proctolin on the stomatogastric ganglion (STG) and GABA on other neurons to select specific motor outputs.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurobiology
- Motor Control
Background:
- Motor pattern selection relies on multifunctional neuronal networks.
- Projection neurons often utilize multiple neurotransmitters (cotransmitters).
- How cotransmitters are used for motor pattern selection remains largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate how individual projection neurons use cotransmitters to select motor patterns.
- Examine the role of the modulatory proctolin neuron (MPN) in the crab Cancer borealis stomatogastric ganglion (STG).
Main Methods:
- Utilized the stomatogastric ganglion (STG) of the crab Cancer borealis.
- Investigated the actions of the modulatory proctolin neuron (MPN) and its transmitters (proctolin and GABA).
- Examined the modulation of pyloric and gastric mill rhythms and projection neurons (MCN1, CPN2).
Main Results:
- MPN activates the pyloric rhythm via proctolin acting directly on the STG.
- MPN inhibits the gastric mill rhythm indirectly by inhibiting projection neurons (MCN1, CPN2) using GABA.
- MPN's GABAergic action on MCN1 and CPN2 occurs within their ganglion of origin, separate from proctolin's action on the STG.
Conclusions:
- Motor pattern selection involves spatially and functionally segregated cotransmitter actions.
- MPN uses proctolin for direct STG modulation and GABA for indirect inhibition of other projection neurons.
- This segregation allows for precise control over complex motor pattern generation.