Journal article
Suitability of the retrograde tracer Dil for electrophysiological studies of brainstem neurons: Adverse ramifications for G-protein coupled receptor agonists
Journal of neuroscience methods, Vol.160(1), pp.116-121
2007
DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2006.08.015
PMID: 17045656
Abstract
Despite the acknowledged advantages of studying identified populations of neurons, few studies have convincingly established that fluorescent retrograde tracers do not alter the passive membrane properties, action potential characteristics, or effects of drugs on the labeled neurons. Whole-cell patch clamp recordings were made from spinally-projecting serotonergic neurons in the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) and spinally-projecting noradrenergic neurons in the locus coeruleus (LC) that were retrogradely labeled with 1,1′-dioactadecyl-3,3,3′,3′-tetramethylindocarbodyanine perchlorate (Dil). The passive membrane and the action potential properties of Dil-labeled (0.2%) and non-labeled serotonergic neurons in the RVM did not differ. Similarly, the passive membrane and action potential properties of non-labeled noradrenergic LC neurons did not differ from neurons labeled with 0.2% or 5% Dil. Although the
mu opioid receptor agonist [D-Ala
2-NMePhe
4-Gly-ol
5]enkephalin (DAMGO) produced equivalent outward currents in non-labeled noradrenergic LC neurons and those labeled with 0.2% Dil, significantly smaller currents were recorded in LC neurons labeled with 5% Dil. Baclofen, a γ-aminobutryic acid
B receptor agonist, also produced smaller currents in RVM neurons labeled with 5% Dil compared to 0.2% Dil. These results indicate that 0.2% Dil is suitable for retrograde labeling of brainstem neurons in vivo for subsequent in vitro electrophysiological study. However, 5% Dil is likely to confound studies of the postsynaptic actions of G-protein coupled receptor ligands.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Suitability of the retrograde tracer Dil for electrophysiological studies of brainstem neurons: Adverse ramifications for G-protein coupled receptor agonists
- Creators
- Liang Zhang - Department of Anesthesia, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USAAmy C Jongeling - Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USADonna L Hammond - Department of Anesthesia, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of neuroscience methods, Vol.160(1), pp.116-121
- Publisher
- Elsevier B.V
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2006.08.015
- PMID
- 17045656
- ISSN
- 0165-0270
- eISSN
- 1872-678X
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 2007
- Academic Unit
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Nursing; Anesthesia; Neuroscience and Pharmacology
- Record Identifier
- 9984006485502771
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