Gene transfer in the nervous system and implications for transsynaptic neuronal tracing.
BACKGROUND
Neuronal circuitries are determined by specific synaptic connections and they provide the cellular basis of cognitive processes and behavioral functions. To investigate neuronal circuitries, tracers are typically used to identify the original neurons and their projection targets.


METHODS
Traditional tracing methods using chemical tracers have major limitations such as non-specificity. In this review, we highlight novel genetic tracing approaches that enable visualization of specific neuronal pathways by introducing cDNA encoding a transsynaptic tracer. In contrast to conventional tracing methods, these genetic approaches use cell-type-specific promoters to express transsynaptic tracers such as wheat germ agglutinin and C-terminal fragment of tetanus toxin, which allows labeling of either the input or output populations and connections of specific neuronal type.


RESULTS
Specific neuronal circuit information by these genetic approaches will allow more precise, comprehensive and novel information about individual neural circuits and their function in normal and diseased brains.


CONCLUSIONS
Using tracer gene transfer, neuronal circuit plasticity after traumatic injury or neurodegenerative diseases can be visualized. Also, this can provide a good marker for evaluation of therapeutic effects of neuroprotective or neurotrophic agents.
Huh
Youngbuhm
Y
Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Oh
Myung S
MS
Leblanc
Pierre
P
Kim
Kwang-Soo
KS
D000818:Animals; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006801:Humans; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000378:metabolism*; D056347:Neuroanatomical Tract-Tracing Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D056325:Neuronal Tract-Tracers / Q000378:metabolism*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D013569:Synapses / Q000378:metabolism*; D013744:Tetanus Toxin / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D014909:Wheat Germ Agglutinins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics
D056325:Neuronal Tract-Tracers; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D013744:Tetanus Toxin; D014909:Wheat Germ Agglutinins; C040635:tetanus toxin fragment C