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Published on: February 21, 2016
Altered olivocerebellar activity patterns in the connexin36 knockout mouse
Sarah P Marshall1, Ruben S van der Giessen, Chris I de Zeeuw
1Department of Physiology & Neuroscience, New York University, School of Medicine, New York, USA.
Cerebellum (London, England)
|September 14, 2007
Summary
Neuronal gap junctions in the inferior olive (IO) are crucial for synchronous Purkinje cell complex spike (CS) activity. Loss of connexin36 (Cx36) gap junctions in knockout mice eliminates this synchrony, confirming their role.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cellular Neuroscience
- Systems Neuroscience
Background:
- The inferior olive (IO) exhibits high neuronal gap junction density, hypothesized to underlie synchronous Purkinje cell complex spike (CS) activity.
- Gap junctions are primarily formed by connexin36 (Cx36) proteins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of gap junction coupling between IO neurons in generating CS synchrony using connexin36 knockout (Cx36KO) mice.
- To determine the impact of Cx36 deletion on IO neuronal excitability and cerebellar circuitry.
Main Methods:
- Multi-electrode recordings of crus 2 CSs in wildtype (Wt) and Cx36KO mice.
- Analysis of CS synchrony, firing rates, and spatial distribution.
- Zebrin II staining and anterograde tracing to assess cerebellar organization.
Main Results:
- Wt mice exhibited significant CS synchrony, spatially organized along parasagittal cortical strips.
- Cx36KO mice showed CS synchrony at chance levels without preferential orientation.
- CS firing rates were lower in Cx36KOs, indicating reduced IO excitability.
- Cerebellar organization and olivocerebellar projections were normal in Cx36KOs.
Conclusions:
- Gap junction coupling between IO neurons, mediated by Cx36, is essential for CS synchrony.
- Electrical coupling significantly influences IO neuronal excitability.
- Individual IO neurons possess intrinsic oscillatory properties independent of Cx36-mediated coupling.
