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In vivo Optogenetic Stimulation of the Rodent Central Nervous System
Published on: January 15, 2015
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A spinal opsin controls early neural activity and drives a behavioral light response
Drew Friedmann1, Adam Hoagland1, Shai Berlin2
1Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
Current Biology : CB
|December 9, 2014
Summary
Environmental light inhibits early zebrafish spinal cord activity and locomotion via vertebrate ancient long opsin A (VALopA). This reveals light
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Sensory Physiology
Background:
- Nonvisual light detection by the vertebrate brain regulates seasonal and circadian behaviors.
- Opsin expression in diverse brain regions suggests broader roles in physiology and behavior.
- Zebrafish embryos possess extraretinal opsins crucial for early central nervous system (CNS) development.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the function of direct CNS photoreception.
- Determine the role of extraretinal opsins in early neural development and behavior.
- Identify the molecular mechanisms underlying light's influence on the developing spinal cord.
Main Methods:
- Examined light's effect on zebrafish spinal central pattern generator (CPG) activity and locomotion.
- Identified the opsin responsible for photosensitivity in the spinal circuit.
- Characterized the signaling pathway of the identified opsin (VALopA).
Main Results:
- Physiological light levels significantly inhibit spontaneous activity in the zebrafish spinal CPG and early locomotion.
- Vertebrate ancient long opsin A (VALopA), a Gα(i)-coupled receptor in spinal neurons, confers this photosensitivity.
- Photoactivation of VALopA suppresses spontaneous activity and disrupts the maturation of correlated neural network patterns.
Conclusions:
- Environmental light directly regulates spontaneous motor behavior and neural activity in the developing spinal cord.
- VALopA mediates light-induced inhibition, uncovering a novel role for nonvisual opsins in CNS development.
- This provides a mechanism for environmental light to influence neural circuit maturation beyond intrinsic developmental programs.
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