Analysis of respiratory center using transgenic rats in which EYFP or photo-sensitive ion channels are introduced in Phox2b-expressing cells

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25430012
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Neurophysiology / General neuroscience
• Research Institution: Showa University
• Principal Investigator: Onimaru Hiroshi 昭和大学, 医学部, 客員教授 (30177258)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): IKEDA KEIKO 兵庫医科大, 医学部, 教授 (10265241)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: Phox2b / 呼吸中枢 / 延髄 / トランスジェニックラット / 光遺伝学 / archrhodopsin / EYFP / pFRG

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have analyzed neuron networks of the medullary respiratory center using transgenic (Tg) rats in which fluorescent protein (EYFP) or photosensitive ion channels, archaerhodopsin (Arch) were expressed under control of Phox2b gene expression. First, we confirmed specific expression of EYFP in Phox2b positive cells of Tg rats. The central respiratory activity in the brainstem-spinal cord preparation from Tg rats did not differ from that of wild type rats. Using calcium imagings, we confirmed that many of EYFP positive cells in the pFRG showed Pre-I neuron like activity. We also confirmed that optogenetics is useful for analysis of respiratory rhythm generation in the en bloc newborn rat preparation from Arch expressing Tg rats.

Free Research Field

神経生理学