Chalif, Joshua I;
Martínez-Silva, María de Lourdes;
Pagiazitis, John G;
Murray, Andrew J;
Mentis, George Z;
(2022)
Control of mammalian locomotion by ventral spinocerebellar tract neurons.
Cell
, 185
(2)
328-344.e26.
10.1016/j.cell.2021.12.014.
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Abstract
Locomotion is a complex behavior required for animal survival. Vertebrate locomotion depends on spinal interneurons termed the central pattern generator (CPG), which generates activity responsible for the alternation of flexor and extensor muscles and the left and right side of the body. It is unknown whether multiple or a single neuronal type is responsible for the control of mammalian locomotion. Here, we show that ventral spinocerebellar tract neurons (VSCTs) drive generation and maintenance of locomotor behavior in neonatal and adult mice. Using mouse genetics, physiological, anatomical, and behavioral assays, we demonstrate that VSCTs exhibit rhythmogenic properties and neuronal circuit connectivity consistent with their essential role in the locomotor CPG. Importantly, optogenetic activation and chemogenetic silencing reveals that VSCTs are necessary and sufficient for locomotion. These findings identify VSCTs as critical components for mammalian locomotion and provide a paradigm shift in our understanding of neural control of complex behaviors.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Control of mammalian locomotion by ventral spinocerebellar tract neurons |
| Location: | United States |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.cell.2021.12.014 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2021.12.014 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). |
| Keywords: | ventral spinocerebellar tract neurons, VSCT, motor neuron, locomotion, central pattern generator, CPG, development, hythmogenic, gap junctions, spinal cord |
| UCL classification: | UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences > The Sainsbury Wellcome Centre UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10143756 |
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