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Postsynaptic mechanisms of CO 2 responses in parafacial respiratory neurons of newborn rats
Author(s) -
Onimaru Hiroshi,
Ikeda Keiko,
Kawakami Kiyoshi
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the journal of physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.802
H-Index - 240
eISSN - 1469-7793
pISSN - 0022-3751
DOI - 10.1113/jphysiol.2011.222687
Subject(s) - chemoreceptor , medulla , postsynaptic potential , respiratory system , neuroscience , hypercapnia , stimulation , central chemoreceptors , rostral ventrolateral medulla , biology , respiratory center , medulla oblongata , endocrinology , central nervous system , anatomy , receptor , biochemistry
Key points • The central chemoreceptors for respiratory control in the medulla sense changes in CO 2 concentration and regulate respiratory activity. • Neurons that express a transcription factor, Phox2b, in the parafacial region of the rostral and ventrolateral medulla are excited by hypercapnic stimulation and are proposed to play an important role in central chemoreception. • In this study, we show evidence that Phox2b‐expressing parafacial neurons in neonatal rats were sensitive to hypercapnia via direct action on the postsynaptic membrane without contribution of putative presynaptic or other calcium‐dependent components. • Since these parafacial neurons are also a part of the respiratory rhythm generator in neonates, they are essential for postnatal survival, which is probably due to their contribution to central chemoreception as well as respiratory rhythm generation.