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- Title
Primitive Roles for Inhibitory Interneurons in Developing Frog Spinal Cord.
- Authors
Li, W.-C.; Higashijima, Shin-ichi; Parry, D. M.; Roberts, Alan; Soffe, S. R.
- Abstract
Understanding the neuronal networks in the mammal spinal cord is hampered by the diversity of neurons and their connections. The simpler networks in developing lower vertebrates may offer insights into basic organization. To investigate the function of spinal inhibitory interneurons in Xenopus tadpoles, paired whole-cell recordings were used. We show directly that one class of interneuron, with distinctive anatomy, produces glycinergic, negative feedback inhibition that can limit firing in motoneurons and interneurons of the central pattern generator during swimming. These same neurons also produce inhibitory gating of sensory pathways during swimming. This discovery raises the possibility that some classes of interneuron, with distinct functions later in development, may differentiate from an earlier class in which these functions are shared. Preliminary evidence suggests that these inhibitory interneurons express the transcription factor engrafted, supporting a probable homology with interneurons in developing zebrafish that also express engrafted and have very similar anatomy and functions.
- Subjects
INTERNEURONS; SPINAL cord; LOCOMOTION; GLYCINE; TRANSCRIPTION factors
- Publication
Journal of Neuroscience, 2004, Vol 24, Issue 25, p5840
- ISSN
0270-6474
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1633-04.2004