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Reelin demarcates a subset of pre‐Bötzinger complex neurons in adult rat
Author(s) -
Tan Wenbin,
Sherman David,
Turesson Jenny,
Shao Xuesi M.,
Janczewski Wiktor A.,
Feldman Jack L.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of comparative neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.855
H-Index - 209
eISSN - 1096-9861
pISSN - 0021-9967
DOI - 10.1002/cne.22753
Subject(s) - biology , reelin , neuroscience , genetics , receptor
Identification of two markers of neurons in the pre‐Bötzinger complex (pre‐BötC), the neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) and somatostatin (Sst) peptide, has been of great utility in understanding the essential role of the pre‐BötC in breathing. Recently, the transcription factor dbx1 was identified as a critical, but transient, determinant of glutamatergic pre‐BötC neurons. Here, to identify additional markers, we constructed and screened a single‐cell subtractive cDNA library from pre‐BötC inspiratory neurons. We identified the glycoprotein reelin as a potentially useful marker, because it is expressed in distinct populations of pre‐BötC and inspiratory bulbospinal ventral respiratory group (ibsVRG) neurons. Reelin ibsVRG neurons were larger (27.1 ± 3.8 μm in diameter) and located more caudally (>12.8 mm caudal to Bregma) than reelin pre‐BötC neurons (15.5 ± 2.4 μm in diameter, <12.8 mm rostral to Bregma). Pre‐BötC reelin neurons coexpress NK1R and Sst. Reelin neurons were also found in the parahypoglossal and dorsal parafacial regions, pontine respiratory group, and ventromedial medulla. Reelin‐deficient (Reeler) mice exhibited impaired respones to hypoxia compared with littermate controls. We suggest that reelin is a useful molecular marker for pre‐BötC neurons in adult rodents and may play a functional role in pre‐BötC microcircuits. J. Comp. Neurol. 520:606–619, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.