V1 spinal neurons regulate the speed of vertebrate locomotor outputs

TY - JOUR

T1 - V1 spinal neurons regulate the speed of vertebrate locomotor outputs

AU - Gosgnach, Simon

AU - Lanuza, Guillermo M.

AU - Butt, Simon J B

AU - Saueressig, Harald

AU - Zhang, Ying

AU - Velasquez, Tomoko

AU - Riethmacher, Dieter

AU - Callaway, Edward M.

AU - Kiehn, Ole

AU - Goulding, Martyn

PY - 2006/3/9

Y1 - 2006/3/9

N2 - The neuronal networks that generate vertebrate movements such as walking and swimming are embedded in the spinal cord1-3. These networks, which are referred to as central pattern generators (CPGs), are ideal systems for determining how ensembles of neurons generate simple behavioural outputs. In spite of efforts to address the organization of the locomotor CPG in walking animals2,4-6, little is known about the identity and function of the spinal interneuron cell types that contribute to these locomotor networks. Here we use four complementary genetic approaches to directly address the function of mouse V1 neurons, a class of local circuit inhibitory interneurons that selectively express the transcription factor Engrailedl. Our results show that V1 neurons shape motor outputs during locomotion and are required for generating 'fast' motor bursting. These findings outline an important role for inhibition in regulating the frequency of the locomotor CPG rhythm, and also suggest that V1 neurons may have an evolutionarily conserved role in controlling the speed of vertebrate locomotor movements.

AB - The neuronal networks that generate vertebrate movements such as walking and swimming are embedded in the spinal cord1-3. These networks, which are referred to as central pattern generators (CPGs), are ideal systems for determining how ensembles of neurons generate simple behavioural outputs. In spite of efforts to address the organization of the locomotor CPG in walking animals2,4-6, little is known about the identity and function of the spinal interneuron cell types that contribute to these locomotor networks. Here we use four complementary genetic approaches to directly address the function of mouse V1 neurons, a class of local circuit inhibitory interneurons that selectively express the transcription factor Engrailedl. Our results show that V1 neurons shape motor outputs during locomotion and are required for generating 'fast' motor bursting. These findings outline an important role for inhibition in regulating the frequency of the locomotor CPG rhythm, and also suggest that V1 neurons may have an evolutionarily conserved role in controlling the speed of vertebrate locomotor movements.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33644854885&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1038/nature04545

DO - 10.1038/nature04545

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 16525473

AN - SCOPUS:33644854885

SN - 0028-0836

VL - 440

SP - 215

EP - 219

JO - Nature

JF - Nature

IS - 7081

ER -