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Article
| Open Access
Cell-specific regulation of gene expression using splicing-dependent frameshifting
Precise and reliable gene delivery remains technically challenging. Here, the authors show that rationally designed frameshifting splicing can be used to express genes only in targeted cell types, with the potential to enhance the specificity AAV gene delivery.
- Jonathan P. Ling
- , Alexei M. Bygrave
- & Seth Blackshaw
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Article
| Open Access
C. elegans enteric motor neurons fire synchronized action potentials underlying the defecation motor program
Most neurons in the nematode C. elegans communicate in an analog manner. Here, the authors demonstrate that enteric motor neurons can fire all-or-none action potentials, and that this digital communication is important for defecation.
- Jingyuan Jiang
- , Yifan Su
- & Qiang Liu
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Article
| Open Access
Trpm5 channels encode bistability of spinal motoneurons and ensure motor control of hindlimbs in mice
The authors show that Trpm5, but not Trpm4, is the main Na+ -permeant channel mediating the warmth-activated ICaN in lumbar motoneurons. Trpm5 is also critical in generating plateau potentials in bistable motoneurons that are essential for producing a postural tone in hindlimbs and amplifying the locomotor output.
- Rémi Bos
- , Benoît Drouillas
- & Frédéric Brocard
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Article
| Open Access
Resurgent Na+ currents promote ultrafast spiking in projection neurons that drive fine motor control
The zebra finch robust nucleus of the arcopallium (RA) directs singing by providing descending projections to brainstem motor neurons. The authors show that electrophysiological characteristics of RA neurons rely on resurgent Na+ currents that emerge early during song development only in males.
- Benjamin M. Zemel
- , Alexander A. Nevue
- & Henrique von Gersdorff
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Article
| Open Access
Purkinje cell axonal swellings enhance action potential fidelity and cerebellar function
Axonal swellings have been found on Purkinje cell axons in the cerebellum both during development and disease. The authors show that axons with swellings propagate action potentials with higher fidelity than those without and that mice with more axonal swellings learn cerebellar-related tasks better.
- Daneck Lang-Ouellette
- , Kim M. Gruver
- & Alanna J. Watt
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Article
| Open Access
The interdependence of excitation and inhibition for the control of dynamic breathing rhythms
Excitatory neurons in the preBötzinger Complex generate bursting activity responsible for breathing, but these alone cannot generate physiological breathing frequencies. Here the authors show how inhibition regulates refractory properties of excitatory neurons to allow dynamic breathing rhythms.
- Nathan Andrew Baertsch
- , Hans Christopher Baertsch
- & Jan Marino Ramirez
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Article
| Open Access
Midbrain circuit regulation of individual alcohol drinking behaviors in mice
Mice exposed to a two-bottle alcohol choice paradigm can be divided into high and low drinking groups. Here, the authors show that stimulating VTA neurons to induce higher phasic activity patterns that are observed in low alcohol drinking mice, suppresses alcohol drinking in mice that are high alcohol drinking.
- Barbara Juarez
- , Carole Morel
- & Ming-Hu Han
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Article
| Open Access
Low excitatory innervation balances high intrinsic excitability of immature dentate neurons
Immature dentate gyrus neurons are highly excitable and are thought to be more responsive to afferent activity than mature neurons. Here, the authors find stimulation of the entorhinal cortex paradoxically generates spiking in mature rather than immature neurons due to low synaptic connectivity of immature cells.
- Cristina V. Dieni
- , Roberto Panichi
- & Linda Overstreet-Wadiche
Epilepsy-linked kinase CDKL5 phosphorylates voltage-gated calcium channel Cav2.3, altering inactivation kinetics and neuronal excitability