Control of Xenopus Tadpole Locomotion via Selective Expression of Ih in Excitatory Interneurons.

ABSTRACT: Locomotion relies on the coordinated activity of rhythmic neurons in the hindbrain and spinal cord and depends critically on the intrinsic properties of excitatory interneurons. Therefore, understanding how ion channels sculpt the properties of these interneurons, and the consequences for circuit function and behavior, is an important task. The hyperpolarization-activated cation current, Ih, is known to play important roles in shaping neuronal properties and for rhythm generation in many neuronal networks. We show in stage 42 Xenopus laevis frog tadpoles that Ih is strongly expressed only in excitatory descending interneurons (dINs), an important ipsilaterally projecting population that drives swimming activity. The voltage-dependent HCN channel blocker ZD7288 completely abolished a promin

SUBMITTER: Picton LD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6303192 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature