Journal of Neuroscience,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
43(41), P. 6841 - 6853
Published: Aug. 28, 2023
We
tested
the
role
of
sodium
leak
channel,
NALCN,
in
pacemaking
dopaminergic
neuron
(DAN)
subpopulations
from
adult
male
and
female
mice.
In
situ
hybridization
revealed
NALCN
RNA
all
DANs,
with
lower
abundance
medial
ventral
tegmental
area
(VTA)
relative
to
substantia
nigra
pars
compacta
(SNc).
Despite
we
found
that
acute
pharmacological
blockade
VTA
DANs
slowed
by
49.08%.
also
examined
electrophysiological
properties
projection-defined
DAN
identified
retrograde
labeling.
Inhibition
reduced
projecting
nucleus
accumbens
(NAc)
others
lateral
NAc
70.74%
31.98%,
respectively,
suggesting
is
a
primary
driver
DANs.
SNc
potentiating
lowering
extracellular
calcium
concentration
speeded
wildtype
but
not
conditional
knockout
mice,
demonstrating
functional
presence
NALCN.
contrast
however,
was
unaffected
inhibition
Instead,
increased
gain
frequency-current
plots
at
firing
frequencies
slower
than
spontaneous
firing.
Similarly,
hyperpolarization-activated
cyclic
nucleotide-gated
(HCN)
conductance
had
little
effect
on
pacemaking.
Interestingly,
simultaneous
HCN
resulted
significant
reduction
pacemaker
rate.
Thus,
makes
substantial
contributions
driving
subpopulations.
critical
for
cells
more
sensitive
hyperpolarizing
stimuli.SIGNIFICANCE
STATEMENT
Pacemaking
midbrain
neurons
relies
multiple
subthreshold
conductances,
including
leak.
Whether
contributes
located
has
yet
been
determined.
Using
electrophysiology
pharmacology,
show
plays
prominent
By
contrast,
does
rely
regulates
excitability
reducing
neuron's
response
inhibitory
stimuli.
Together,
these
findings
will
inform
future
efforts
obtain
subpopulation-specific
treatments
use
neuropsychiatric
disorders.
Reviews in the Neurosciences,
Journal Year:
2018,
Volume and Issue:
30(2), P. 107 - 164
Published: Dec. 13, 2018
Central
pattern
generators
(CPGs)
are
generally
defined
as
networks
of
neurons
capable
enabling
the
production
central
commands,
specifically
controlling
stereotyped,
rhythmic
motor
behaviors.
Several
CPGs
localized
in
brainstem
and
spinal
cord
areas
have
been
shown
to
underlie
expression
complex
behaviors
such
deglutition,
mastication,
respiration,
defecation,
micturition,
ejaculation,
locomotion.
Their
pivotal
roles
clearly
demonstrated
although
their
organization
cellular
properties
remain
incompletely
characterized.
In
recent
years,
insightful
findings
about
made
mainly
because
(1)
several
complementary
animal
models
were
developed;
(2)
these
enabled
a
wide
variety
techniques
be
used
and,
hence,
plethora
characteristics
discovered;
(3)
organizations,
functions,
cell
across
all
species
studied
thus
far
found
well-preserved
phylogenetically.
This
article
aims
at
providing
an
overview
for
non-experts
most
important
on
vivo
models,
vitro
preparations
from
invertebrate
vertebrate
well
primates.
Data
CPG
adaptation,
organization,
will
summarized
with
special
attention
paid
network
locomotion
given
its
advanced
level
characterization
compared
some
other
CPGs.
Similarities
differences
between
also
highlighted.
Journal of Neurophysiology,
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
125(5), P. 1899 - 1919
Published: April 7, 2021
Opioid-induced
respiratory
depression
(OIRD)
represents
the
primary
cause
of
death
associated
with
therapeutic
and
recreational
opioid
use.
Within
United
States,
rate
from
abuse
since
early
1990s
has
grown
disproportionally,
prompting
classification
as
a
nationwide
“epidemic.”
Since
this
time,
we
have
begun
to
unravel
many
fundamental
cellular
systems-level
mechanisms
opioid-related
death.
However,
factors
such
individual
vulnerability,
neuromodulatory
compensation,
redundancy
effects
across
central
peripheral
nervous
systems
created
barrier
concise,
integrative
view
OIRD.
review,
bring
together
multiple
perspectives
in
field
OIRD
create
an
overarching
viewpoint
what
know,
where
essential
topic
research
going
forward
into
future.
Physiological Reviews,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
104(1), P. 399 - 472
Published: Aug. 24, 2023
Cell
excitability
and
its
modulation
by
hormones
neurotransmitters
involve
the
concerted
action
of
a
large
repertoire
membrane
proteins,
especially
ion
channels.
Unique
complements
coexpressed
channels
are
exquisitely
balanced
against
each
other
in
different
excitable
cell
types,
establishing
distinct
electrical
properties
that
tailored
for
diverse
physiological
contributions,
dysfunction
any
component
may
induce
disease
state.
A
crucial
parameter
controlling
is
resting
potential
(RMP)
set
extra-
intracellular
concentrations
ions,
mainly
Na
+
,
K
Cl
−
their
passive
permeation
across
through
leak
Indeed,
dysregulation
RMP
causes
significant
effects
on
cellular
excitability.
This
review
describes
molecular
channel
NALCN,
which
associates
with
accessory
subunits
UNC-79,
UNC-80,
NLF-1/FAM155
to
conduct
depolarizing
background
currents
various
neurons.
Studies
animal
models
clearly
demonstrate
NALCN
contributes
fundamental
processes
nervous
system
including
control
respiratory
rhythm,
circadian
sleep,
locomotor
behavior.
Furthermore,
associated
severe
pathological
states
humans.
The
critical
involvement
physiology
now
well
established,
but
study
has
been
hampered
lack
specific
drugs
can
block
or
agonize
vitro
vivo.
Molecular
tools
available
accelerate
our
understanding
how
key
functions
development
novel
therapies
channelopathies.
Dopamine
(D2)
receptors
provide
autoinhibitory
feedback
onto
dopamine
neurons
through
well-known
interactions
with
voltage-gated
calcium
channels
and
G
protein-coupled
inwardly-rectifying
potassium
(GIRK)
channels.
Here,
we
reveal
a
third
major
effector
involved
in
D2R
modulation
of
dopaminergic
-
the
sodium
leak
channel,
NALCN.
We
found
that
activation
D2
robustly
inhibits
isolated
currents
wild-type
mice
but
not
NALCN
conditional
knockout
mice.
Intracellular
GDP-βS
abolished
inhibition,
indicating
protein-dependent
signaling
mechanism.
The
application
reliably
slowed
pacemaking
even
when
GIRK
were
pharmacologically
blocked.
Furthermore,
while
spontaneous
activity
was
observed
nearly
all
mice,
from
knockouts
mainly
silent.
Both
observations
demonstrate
critical
importance
for
neurons.
Finally,
show
GABA-B
receptor
also
produces
inhibition
NALCN-mediated
currents.
Therefore,
identify
as
core
inhibitory
receptors.
How
mammalian
neural
circuits
generate
rhythmic
activity
in
motor
behaviors,
such
as
breathing,
walking,
and
chewing,
remains
elusive.
For
rhythm
generation
is
localized
to
a
brainstem
nucleus,
the
preBötzinger
Complex
(preBötC).
Rhythmic
preBötC
population
consists
of
strong
inspiratory
bursts,
which
drive
motoneuronal
activity,
weaker
burstlets,
we
hypothesize
reflect
an
emergent
rhythmogenic
process.
If
burstlets
underlie
rhythmogenesis,
respiratory
depressants,
opioids,
should
reduce
burstlet
frequency.
Indeed,
medullary
slices
from
neonatal
mice,
μ-opioid
receptor
(μOR)
agonist
DAMGO
slowed
generation.
Genetic
deletion
μORs
glutamatergic
subpopulation
abolished
opioid-mediated
depression,
neuropeptide
Substance
P,
but
not
blockade
inhibitory
synaptic
transmission,
reduced
opioidergic
effects.
We
conclude
that
rhythmogenesis
process,
modulated
by
does
rely
on
bursts
associated
with
output.
These
findings
also
point
strategies
for
ameliorating
opioid-induced
depression
breathing.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
Journal Year:
2017,
Volume and Issue:
114(48), P. 12815 - 12820
Published: Nov. 13, 2017
Significance
Humans
breathe
∼20,000
times
per
day
and
hundreds
of
millions
over
the
average
life
span.
The
neural
mechanisms
which
control
respiratory
rate
are
poorly
understood.
Although
it
was
previously
thought
that
signal
to
solely
an
excitatory
command,
we
show
selective
stimulation
putative
CO
2
-chemosensitive
neurons
likely
initiates
inspiration
through
inhibition.
These
results
argue
clock
determines
operates
in
two
distinct
modes:
a
first
mode
is
highly
modular
allows
for
flexibility
adapt
everyday
behaviors,
second
specifically
recruited
situations
elevated
.
Cell Reports,
Journal Year:
2020,
Volume and Issue:
33(6), P. 108358 - 108358
Published: Nov. 1, 2020
Breathing
is
coupled
to
metabolism.
Leptin,
a
peptide
mainly
secreted
in
proportion
adipose
tissue
mass,
increases
energy
expenditure
with
parallel
increase
breathing.
We
demonstrate
that
optogenetic
activation
of
LepRb
neurons
the
nucleus
solitary
tract
(NTS)
mimics
respiratory
stimulation
after
systemic
leptin
administration.
show
activates
sodium
leak
channel
(NALCN),
thereby
depolarizing
subset
glutamatergic
(VGluT2)
NTS
expressing
galanin.
Mice
selective
deletion
NALCN
have
increased
breathing
irregularity
and
central
apneas.
On
high-fat
diet,
these
mice
gain
weight
an
associated
depression
minute
ventilation
tidal
volume,
which
are
not
detected
control
littermates.
Anatomical
mapping
reveals
NTS-originating
axon
terminals
brainstem
inspiratory
premotor
region
(rVRG)
dorsomedial
hypothalamus.
These
findings
directly
link
defined
cells
matching
balance.
Midbrain
dopamine
(DA)
neurons
are
slow
pacemakers
that
maintain
extracellular
DA
levels.
During
the
interspike
intervals,
subthreshold
depolarization
underlies
autonomous
pacemaking
and
determines
its
rate.
However,
ion
channels
determine
unknown.
Here
we
show
TRPC3
NALCN
together
form
sustained
inward
currents
responsible
for
of
nigral
neurons.
Specific
channel
blockade
completely
blocked
neuron
pacemaking,
but
activity
in
knock-out
(KO)
mice
was
perfectly
normal,
suggesting
presence
compensating
channels.
Blocking
abolished
both
KO
wild-type
mice.
The
current
mRNA
protein
expression
increased
mice,
indicating
compensates
currents.
In
normal
conditions,
contribute
equally
to
depolarization.
Therefore,
conclude
two
major
leak
drive
robust
Frontiers in Pharmacology,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
14
Published: Jan. 11, 2024
The
sodium
leak
channel
(NALCN)
is
widely
expressed
in
the
central
nervous
system
and
plays
a
pivotal
role
regulating
resting
membrane
potential
(RMP)
by
mediating
Na