Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
studied by means of optogenetics previously, the precise relation
between the glutamate and OT component remains for future
investigation [
8
]. This may be further more explored in different
brain regions and with other neuropeptides.
The family of neuropeptides is growing with new members
each year (see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuropeptide
and
references therein
). However, the limiting factor for exploration of
their function is the limited number of genetically accessible neu-
ropeptides and their promoters. Despite this, application of opto-
genetics for OT, VP, CRH and other potentials “successors” opens
perspectives to answer basic questions, mentioned above, and to
explore the intrinsic behavioral roles of these neuropeptides,
Optogenetical stimulation has already demonstrated effects on
food intake [
51
], sleep-wakefulness cycle [
19
,
20
,
43
] and fear
response [
8
]. Furthermore, viral and transgenic techniques will
allow the use of opsins to link brain function of mammalian species
with specifi c behaviors (for example, monogamous and polyga-
mous voles; [
13
,
81
]) applicable even to brains of monkeys and
other primates. These studies can potentially also provide impor-
tant insights into the alterations in neuropeptide signaling that
may occur in human social and emotional disorders.
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by grants GR 3619/2-1, GR 3619/3-1,
and GR 3619/4-1 by the German Research Foundation (DFG) to
V. Grinevich, and the Chica and Heinz Schaller Research
Foundation to V. Grinevich and Swiss National Science Foundation,
PPP-CTI, and SSSTC grants to R. Stoop. We thank Anne Seller
for the proofreading of the manuscript.
References
1. Yizhar O, Fenno LE, Davidson TJ et al (2011)
Optogenetics in neural systems. Neuron
71(1):9-34
2. Gradinaru VV, Thompson KR, Zhang F et al
(2007) Targeting and readout strategies for
fast optical neural control in vitro and in vivo.
J Neurosci 27(52):14231-14238
3. Cardin JA, Carlén M, Meletis K et al (2010)
Targeted optogenetic stimulation and record-
ing of neurons in vivo using cell-type-specifi c
expression of Channelrhodopsin-2. Nat Protoc
5(2):247-254
4. Zhang F, Wang L-P, Brauner M et al (2007)
Multimodal fast optical interrogation of neural
circuitry. Nature 446(7136):633-639
5. Mattis J, Tye KM, Ferenczi EA et al (2011)
Principles for applying optogenetic tools
derived from direct comparative analysis of
microbial opsins. Nat Methods 9(2):159-172
6. Boyden ES, Zhang F, Bamberg E et al (2005)
Millisecond-timescale, genetically targeted
optical control of neural activity. Nat Neurosci
8(9):1263-1268
7. Osten P, Grinevich V, Cetin A (2007) Viral
vectors: a wide range of choices and high levels
of service. Handb Exp Pharmacol 178:
177-202
8. Knobloch HS, Charlet A, Hoffmann LC et al
(2012) Evoked axonal oxytocin release in the
central amygdala attenuates fear response.
Neuron 73(3):553-566
9. Fields RL, House SB, Gainer H (2003)
Regulatory domains in the intergenic region of
the oxytocin and vasopressin genes that control
Search WWH ::
Custom Search