Role of EphA4 and EphrinB3 in local neuronal circuits that control walking

• Local circuits in the spinal cord that generate locomotion are termed central pattern generators (CPGs). These provide coordinated bilateral control over the normal limb alternation that underlies walking. The molecules that organize the mammalian CPG are unknown. Isolated spinal cords from mice lacking either the EphA4 receptor or its ligand ephrinB3 have lost left-right limb alternation and instead exhibit synchrony. We identified EphA4-positive neurons as an excitatory component of the locomotor CPG. Our study shows that dramatic locomotor changes can occur as a consequence of local genetic rewiring and identifies genes required for the development of normal locomotor behavior.

Nyckelord

Animals

Axons/physiology

Bicuculline/pharmacology

Carrier Proteins/genetics/metabolism

Electrophysiology

Ephrin-B3/genetics/*physiology

Gait

In Vitro

Interneurons/physiology

Membrane Transport Proteins

Mice

Mice; Inbred C57BL

Mice; Transgenic

Motor Activity

Neurons/*physiology

Nipecotic Acids/pharmacology

Receptor; EphA4/genetics/*physiology

Research Support; U.S. Gov't; P.H.S.

Sarcosine/pharmacology

Signal Transduction

Spinal Cord/*physiology

Spinal Nerve Roots/physiology

Strychnine/pharmacology

Vesicular Transport Proteins

Walking

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)