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Published on: June 13, 2019
Biophysical Variation within the M1 Type of Ganglion Cell Photoreceptor
Alan J Emanuel1, Kush Kapur2, Michael Tri H Do1
1F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Center for Life Science 12061, 3 Blackfan Circle, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
Abstract:
Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells of the M1 type encode environmental irradiance for functions that include circadian and pupillary regulation. Their distinct role, morphology, and molecular markers indicate that they are stereotyped circuit elements, but their physiological uniformity has not been investigated in a systematic fashion. We have profiled the biophysical parameters of mouse M1s and found that extreme variation is their hallmark. Most parameters span 1-3 log units, and the full range is evident in M1s that innervate brain regions serving divergent functions. Biophysical profiles differ among cells possessing similar morphology and between neighboring M1s recorded simultaneously. Variation in each parameter is largely independent of that in others, allowing for flexible individualization. Accordingly, a common stimulus drives heterogeneous spike outputs across cells. By contrast, a population of directionally selective retinal ganglion cells appeared physiologically uniform under similar conditions. Thus, M1s lack biophysical constancy and send diverse signals downstream.
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