TY - JOUR
T1 - Locomotor Rhythm Generation Linked to the Output of Spinal Shox2 Excitatory Interneurons
AU - Dougherty, Kimberly J.
AU - Zagoraiou, Laskaro
AU - Satoh, Daisuke
AU - Rozani, Ismini
AU - Doobar, Staceyann
AU - Arber, Silvia
AU - Jessell, Thomas M.
AU - Kiehn, Ole
PY - 2013/11/20
Y1 - 2013/11/20
N2 - Locomotion is controlled by spinal networks that generate rhythm and coordinate left-right and flexor-extensor patterning. Defined populations of spinal interneurons have been linked to patterning circuits; however, neurons comprising the rhythm-generating kernel have remained elusive. Here, we identify an ipsilaterally projecting excitatory interneuron population, marked by the expression of Shox2 that overlaps partially with V2a interneurons. Optogenetic silencing or blocking synaptic output of Shox2 interneurons (INs) in transgenic mice perturbed rhythm without an effect on pattern generation, whereas ablation of the Shox2 IN subset coinciding with the V2a population was without effect. Most Shox2 INs are rhythmically active during locomotion and analysis of synaptic connectivity showed that Shox2 INs contact other Shox2 INs, commissural neurons, and motor neurons,with preference for flexor motor neurons. Our findings focus attention on a subset of Shox2 INs that appearto participate in the rhythm-generating kernel for spinal locomotion
AB - Locomotion is controlled by spinal networks that generate rhythm and coordinate left-right and flexor-extensor patterning. Defined populations of spinal interneurons have been linked to patterning circuits; however, neurons comprising the rhythm-generating kernel have remained elusive. Here, we identify an ipsilaterally projecting excitatory interneuron population, marked by the expression of Shox2 that overlaps partially with V2a interneurons. Optogenetic silencing or blocking synaptic output of Shox2 interneurons (INs) in transgenic mice perturbed rhythm without an effect on pattern generation, whereas ablation of the Shox2 IN subset coinciding with the V2a population was without effect. Most Shox2 INs are rhythmically active during locomotion and analysis of synaptic connectivity showed that Shox2 INs contact other Shox2 INs, commissural neurons, and motor neurons,with preference for flexor motor neurons. Our findings focus attention on a subset of Shox2 INs that appearto participate in the rhythm-generating kernel for spinal locomotion
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84888042461&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.neuron.2013.08.015
DO - 10.1016/j.neuron.2013.08.015
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 24267650
AN - SCOPUS:84888042461
SN - 0896-6273
VL - 80
SP - 920
EP - 933
JO - Neuron
JF - Neuron
IS - 4
ER -