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Related Experiment Videos

Connexin-36 gap junctions mediate electrical coupling between ventral tegmental area GABA neurons.

David W Allison1, Allison J Ohran, Sarah H Stobbs

  • 1Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602, USA.

Synapse (New York, N.Y.)
|April 1, 2006
PubMed
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Electrical synapses connect mature ventral tegmental area (VTA) GABA neurons via connexin-36 (Cx36) gap junctions, influenced by dopamine and corticotegmental input.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cellular Biology
  • Synaptic Transmission

Background:

  • Neuronal communication in mammals predominantly uses chemical synapses.
  • Emerging evidence suggests electrical synaptic transmission occurs between certain mature neuronal types.
  • Previous work indicated gap junction blockers affect gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neuron coupling in the ventral tegmental area (VTA).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of connexin-36 (Cx36) gap junctions in electrical coupling of VTA GABA neurons.
  • To assess Cx36 expression and function in mature rat VTA GABA neurons in vivo and in vitro.

Main Methods:

  • In vivo electrophysiology in mature rats stimulated via the internal capsule (IC).
  • In vitro whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in midbrain slices from juvenile rats.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Single-cell quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for Cx36 transcripts.
  • Immunohistochemistry for Cx36 protein.
  • Dye-coupling experiments using Neurobiotin and Alexa Fluor 488.

    • Main Results:

    • Stimulation of the IC evoked spike couplets and post-stimulus spike discharges (PSDs) in VTA GABA neurons.
    • The Cx36 blocker mefloquine reduced IC-evoked PSDs in freely behaving rats.
    • Cx36 transcripts were robustly expressed in juvenile VTA GABA neurons.
    • Cx36 protein was detected in the VTA of mature rats.
    • Direct dye coupling between VTA neurons was observed.

    Conclusions:

    • Mature VTA GABA neurons are connected by electrical synapses.
    • Connexin-36 gap junctions mediate this electrical coupling.
    • Corticotegmental input and dopamine enhance this neuronal coupling.