@article{54c6b3a0dfb64924aaf1d3c1cfe7f1a7,
title = "Optogenetic dissection of a behavioural module in the vertebrate spinal cord",
abstract = "Locomotion relies on neural networks called central pattern generators (CPGs) that generate periodic motor commands for rhythmic movements. In vertebrates, the excitatory synaptic drive for inducing the spinal CPG can originate from either supraspinal glutamatergic inputs or from within the spinal cord. Here we identify a spinal input to the CPG that drives spontaneous locomotion using a combination of intersectional gene expression and optogenetics in zebrafish larvae. The photo-stimulation of one specific cell type was sufficient to induce a symmetrical tail beating sequence that mimics spontaneous slow forward swimming. This neuron is the Kolmer-Agduhr cell, which extends cilia into the central cerebrospinal-fluid-containing canal of the spinal cord and has an ipsilateral ascending axon that terminates in a series of consecutive segments. Genetically silencing Kolmer-Agduhr cells reduced the frequency of spontaneous free swimming, indicating that activity of Kolmer-Agduhr cells provides necessary tone for spontaneous forward swimming. Kolmer-Agduhr cells have been known for over 75 years, but their function has been mysterious. Our results reveal that during early development in zebrafish these cells provide a positive drive to the spinal CPG for spontaneous locomotion.",
author = "Claire Wyart and Bene, {Filippo Del} and Erica Warp and Scott, {Ethan K.} and Dirk Trauner and Herwig Baier and Isacoff, {Ehud Y.}",
note = "Funding Information: Acknowledgements We thank M. Volgraf for MAG-1 synthesis, K. Kawakami for the UAS:TeTxLC-CFP line, B. Appel for the Olig2-DsRed line, W. Staub for animal care, D. Li for help with screening BGUG larvae, B. Vigh, C. Girit, E. Brustein, P. Drapeau and S. Hugel for discussions, P.G. de Gennes and Noam Sobel for support and O. Wyart for aesthetic input. We are grateful to K. Best, P. Tavormina, H. Aaron, R. Ayer, B. Nowak and M. Ulbrich for advice on the design of the photostimulation setup. Support for the work was from the Marie Curie Outgoing International Fellowship (with the CNRS – UMR5020 {\textquoteleft}Neurosciences Sensorielles, Comportement Cognition{\textquoteright} laboratory, Lyon, France) (C.W.), the Human Frontier Science Program Long-term Postdoctoral Fellowship (F.D.B.), the National Institutes of Health Nanomedicine Development Center for the Optical Control of Biological Function (5PN2EY018241) (E.Y.I., D.T. and H.B.), the Human Frontiers Science Program (RGP23-2005) (E.Y.I. and D.T.), the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Directed Research and Development Program (E.Y.I. and D.T.), R01 NS053358 (H.B.) and a Sandler Opportunity Award (H.B.).",
year = "2009",
month = sep,
day = "17",
doi = "10.1038/nature08323",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "461",
pages = "407--410",
journal = "Nature",
issn = "0028-0836",
publisher = "Nature Publishing Group",
number = "7262",
}