Identification of genes regulating GABAergic interneuron maturation

In vivo optogenetic identification and manipulation of GABAergic interneuron subtypes.

Identification and manipulation of different GABAergic interneuron classes in the behaving animal are important to understand their role in circuit dynamics and behavior. The combination of optogenetics and large-scale neuronal recordings allows specific interneuron populations to be identified and perturbed for circuit analysis in intact animals. A crucial aspect of this approach is coupling e...

Identification of factors regulating poly(A) tail synthesis and maturation.

Posttranscriptional maturation of the 3' end of eukaryotic pre-mRNAs occurs as a three-step pathway involving site-specific cleavage, polymerization of a poly(A) tail, and trimming of the newly synthesized tail to its mature length. While most of the factors essential for catalyzing these reactions have been identified, those that regulate them remain to be characterized. Previously, we demonst...

A Role for Dystonia-Associated Genes in Spinal GABAergic Interneuron Circuitry

Spinal interneurons are critical modulators of motor circuit function. In the dorsal spinal cord, a set of interneurons called GABApre presynaptically inhibits proprioceptive sensory afferent terminals, thus negatively regulating sensory-motor signaling. Although deficits in presynaptic inhibition have been inferred in human motor diseases, including dystonia, it remains unclear whether GABApre...

The Art of Setting Limits: Lessons from GABAergic Interneuron Transplantation.

Dlx Gene Regulation of Zebrafish GABAergic Interneuron Development