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Molecular and functional dissection using CaMPARI-seq reveals the neuronal organization for dissociating optic
Koji Matsuda1,2, Chung-Han Wang1,2,3, Hisaya Kakinuma1
1RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Saitama, Japan.
Nature Communications
|April 17, 2026
Summary
Researchers identified specific neurons in zebrafish brains that distinguish between rotational and translational optic flow, crucial for controlling body and eye movements. This discovery advances our understanding of visual processing and behavior.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Visual processing
- Zebrafish models
Background:
- Optic flow processing is vital for visually guided movements.
- Distinguishing rotational from translational optic flow is essential for distinct behavioral outputs.
- The specific neuronal circuits underlying this distinction remain largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the transcriptional profile of pretectal neurons involved in optic flow processing.
- To identify neuron types and connectivity essential for dissociating optic flow patterns.
- To link functional activity with molecular identity in the pretectum.
Main Methods:
- Developed CaMPARI-seq (photoconvertible calcium indicator CaMPARI2 and single-cell RNA sequencing).
- Applied CaMPARI-seq to larval zebrafish pretectum.
- Utilized in vivo calcium imaging and cell ablation experiments.
Main Results:
- Identified a pretectal cluster expressing tcf7l2 with distinct molecular subclusters.
- Discovered nkx1.2lb-positive pretectal neurons are commissural inhibitory neurons.
- Demonstrated these neurons are required for optomotor response but not optokinetic response.
Conclusions:
- CaMPARI-seq successfully uncovered neuronal organization for dissociating optic flow behaviors.
- Specific inhibitory neurons in the pretectum play a key role in behavioral responses to different optic flows.
- This study provides a foundation for understanding the neural basis of complex visual behaviors.
