Silencing preBötzinger complex somatostatin-expressing neurons induces persistent apnea in awake rat

Nat Neurosci. 2008 May;11(5):538-40. doi: 10.1038/nn.2104. Epub 2008 Apr 6.

Abstract

Delineating neurons that underlie complex behaviors is of fundamental interest. Using adeno-associated virus 2, we expressed the Drosophila allatostatin receptor in somatostatin (Sst)-expressing neurons in the preBötzinger Complex (preBötC). Rapid silencing of these neurons in awake rats induced a persistent apnea without any respiratory movements to rescue their breathing. We hypothesize that breathing requires preBötC Sst neurons and that their sudden depression can lead to serious, even fatal, respiratory failure.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apnea / chemically induced
  • Apnea / genetics
  • Apnea / physiopathology*
  • Biological Clocks / drug effects
  • Biological Clocks / genetics
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Dependovirus / genetics
  • Drosophila
  • Drosophila Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics*
  • Genetic Vectors
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Net / cytology
  • Nerve Net / drug effects
  • Nerve Net / metabolism
  • Neural Inhibition / drug effects
  • Neural Inhibition / genetics
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Neuropeptides / pharmacology
  • Periodicity
  • Rats
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / biosynthesis
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / genetics*
  • Receptors, Neurokinin-1 / metabolism
  • Receptors, Neuropeptide / biosynthesis
  • Receptors, Neuropeptide / genetics*
  • Respiratory Center / cytology
  • Respiratory Center / drug effects
  • Respiratory Center / metabolism*
  • Respiratory Physiological Phenomena
  • Somatostatin / metabolism*
  • Transfection / methods
  • Wakefulness / physiology

Substances

  • AstA-R1 protein, Drosophila
  • Biomarkers
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Neuropeptides
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Receptors, Neurokinin-1
  • Receptors, Neuropeptide
  • enhanced green fluorescent protein
  • allatostatin
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Somatostatin