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The retrotrapezoid nucleus neurons expressing Atoh1 and Phox2b are essential for the respiratory response to CO₂.
- Source :
-
ELife [Elife] 2015 Apr 13; Vol. 4. Date of Electronic Publication: 2015 Apr 13. - Publication Year :
- 2015
-
Abstract
- Maintaining constant CO2 and H(+) concentrations in the arterial blood is critical for life. The principal mechanism through which this is achieved in mammals is the respiratory chemoreflex whose circuitry is still elusive. A candidate element of this circuitry is the retrotrapezoid nucleus (RTN), a collection of neurons at the ventral medullary surface that are activated by increased CO2 or low pH and project to the respiratory rhythm generator. Here, we use intersectional genetic strategies to lesion the RTN neurons defined by Atoh1 and Phox2b expression and to block or activate their synaptic output. Photostimulation of these neurons entrains the respiratory rhythm. Conversely, abrogating expression of Atoh1 or Phox2b or glutamatergic transmission in these cells curtails the phrenic nerve response to low pH in embryonic preparations and abolishes the respiratory chemoreflex in behaving animals. Thus, the RTN neurons expressing Atoh1 and Phox2b are a necessary component of the chemoreflex circuitry.
- Subjects :
- Animals
Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors metabolism
Carbon Dioxide metabolism
Embryo, Mammalian
Gene Expression
Homeodomain Proteins metabolism
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Membrane Potentials drug effects
Membrane Potentials physiology
Mice
Mice, Transgenic
Neurons cytology
Neurons metabolism
Photic Stimulation
Phrenic Nerve drug effects
Phrenic Nerve physiology
Protons
Respiratory Center cytology
Respiratory Center metabolism
Synapses drug effects
Synapses physiology
Synaptic Transmission drug effects
Synaptic Transmission physiology
Transcription Factors metabolism
Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors genetics
Carbon Dioxide pharmacology
Homeodomain Proteins genetics
Neurons drug effects
Respiration drug effects
Respiratory Center drug effects
Transcription Factors genetics
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 2050-084X
- Volume :
- 4
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- ELife
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 25866925
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.07051