RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Interdependent Conductances Drive Infraslow Intrinsic Rhythmogenesis in a Subset of Accessory Olfactory Bulb Projection Neurons
JF The Journal of Neuroscience
JO J. Neurosci.
FD Society for Neuroscience
SP 3127
OP 3144
DO 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2520-15.2016
VO 36
IS 11
A1 Monika Gorin
A1 Chryssanthi Tsitoura
A1 Anat Kahan
A1 Katja Watznauer
A1 Daniela R. Drose
A1 Martijn Arts
A1 Rudolf Mathar
A1 Simon O'Connor
A1 Ileana L. Hanganu-Opatz
A1 Yoram Ben-Shaul
A1 Marc Spehr
YR 2016
UL http://www.jneurosci.org/content/36/11/3127.abstract
AB The accessory olfactory system controls social and sexual behavior. However, key aspects of sensory signaling along the accessory olfactory pathway remain largely unknown. Here, we investigate patterns of spontaneous neuronal activity in mouse accessory olfactory bulb mitral cells, the direct neural link between vomeronasal sensory input and limbic output. Both in vitro and in vivo, we identify a subpopulation of mitral cells that exhibit slow stereotypical rhythmic discharge. In intrinsically rhythmogenic neurons, these periodic activity patterns are maintained in absence of fast synaptic drive. The physiological mechanism underlying mitral cell autorhythmicity involves cyclic activation of three interdependent ionic conductances: subthreshold persistent Na+ current, R-type Ca2+ current, and Ca2+-activated big conductance K+ current. Together, the interplay of these distinct conductances triggers infraslow intrinsic oscillations with remarkable periodicity, a default output state likely to affect sensory processing in limbic circuits.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT We show for the first time that some rodent accessory olfactory bulb mitral cells—the direct link between vomeronasal sensory input and limbic output—are intrinsically rhythmogenic. Driven by ≥3 distinct interdependent ionic conductances, infraslow intrinsic oscillations show remarkable periodicity both in vitro and in vivo. As a novel default state, infraslow autorhythmicity is likely to affect limbic processing of pheromonal information.