An identified central pattern‐generating neuron co‐ordinates sensory‐motor components of respiratory behavior in Lymnaea
- 18 January 2006
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wiley in European Journal of Neuroscience
- Vol. 23 (1), 94-104
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1460-9568.2005.04543.x
Abstract
Defining the attributes of individual central pattern‐generating (CPG) neurons underlying various rhythmic behaviors are fundamental to our understanding of how the brain controls motor programs, such as respiration and locomotion. To this end, we have explored a simple invertebrate preparation in which the neuronal basis of respiratory rhythmogenesis can be investigated from the whole animal to a single cell level. An identified dopaminergic neuron, termed right pedal dorsal 1 (RPeD1), is a component of the CPG network which controls hypoxia‐driven, aerial respiration in the fresh water snail Lymnaea stagnalis. Using intact, semi‐intact and isolated brain preparations, we have discovered that in addition to its role as a respiratory CPG neuron, RPeD1 co‐ordinates sensory‐motor input from the pneumostome (the respiratory orifice) at the water/air interface to initiate respiratory rhythm generation. An additional, novel role of RPeD1 was also found. Specifically, direct intracellular stimulation of RPeD1 induced pneumostome openings, in the absence of motor neuronal activity. To determine further the role of RPeD1 in the respiratory behavior of intact animals, either its axon was severed or the soma selectively killed. Many components of the respiratory behavior in the intact animals were found to be perturbed following RPeD1 axotomy or ‘somatomy’ (soma removed). Taken together, the data presented provide a direct demonstration that RPeD1 is a multifunctional CPG neuron, which also serves many additional roles in the control of breathing behavior, ranging from co‐ordination of mechanosensory input to the motor control of the respiratory orifice.Keywords
This publication has 23 references indexed in Scilit:
- Development of central pattern generating circuitsCurrent Opinion in Neurobiology, 2005
- Multiple Forms of Long-Term Potentiation and Long-Term Depression Converge on a Single Interneuron in the Leech CNSJournal of Neuroscience, 2004
- Synapse Formation Between Isolated Axons Requires Presynaptic Soma and Redistribution of Postsynaptic AChRsJournal of Neurophysiology, 2003
- Long-Term Memory Survives Nerve Injury and the Subsequent Regeneration ProcessLearning & Memory, 2003
- Development of Ca2+ hotspots between Lymnaea neurons during synaptogenesisThe Journal of Physiology, 2002
- The neuronal mechanisms of respiratory rhythm generationCurrent Opinion in Neurobiology, 1996
- Transplantation and functional integration of an identified respiratory interneuron in lymnaea stagnalisNeuron, 1992
- In Vitro Reconstruction of the Respiratory Central Pattern Generator of the Mollusk LymnaeaScience, 1990
- Neural Basis of Rhythmic Behavior in AnimalsScience, 1980
- Postsynaptic effects of a multiaction giant interneurone on identified snail neuronesNature, 1977