title: Phenotype and function of raphe projections to the suprachiasmatic nucleus.
abstract: The circadian clock, located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), receives a major afferent from the median raphe nucleus (MRN). In the Syrian hamster, only about 50% of the cells giving rise to this afferent contain serotonin. There is mixed evidence as to whether the serotonergic portion of this projection is involved in non-photic phase shifting of circadian locomotor rhythms. In order to better characterize the non-serotonergic projections, we conducted retrograde tract tracing using the beta subunit of cholera toxin combined with multi-label immunohistochemistry. Similar to previous findings, almost half of the retrogradely labeled cells contained serotonin. Additionally, approximately 30% of the retrogradely labeled cells contained vesicular glutamate transporter 3 (VGLUT3), but not serotonin. Surprisingly, some dorsal raphe cholera toxin labeling was also noted, particularly in animals with central-SCN injections. To determine if the non-serotonergic projections were important for non-photic phase shifts elicited by MRN stimulation, the MRN was electrically stimulated in animals pretreated with SCN injection of either the serotonin neurotoxin 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine or vehicle control. Intact animals phase advanced to midday electrical stimulation of the raphe while lesioned animals did not. Together, these results show that although some of the non-serotonergic raphe projections to the SCN contain VGLUT3, it is the serotonergic raphe innervation of the SCN that is critical for non-photic phase shifting elicited by MRN stimulation.
authors.affiliation: Brain and Cognitive Sciences Research Group, Department of Psychology, 2500 University Drive NW, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada.
authors.forename: Glenn R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Yamakawa
authors.forename: Michael C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Antle
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D001683:Biological Clocks / Q000502:physiology; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D006224:Cricetinae; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D007478:Iontophoresis; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D010641:Phenotype; D011903:Raphe Nuclei / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013493:Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D050496:Vesicular Glutamate Transport Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D050496:Vesicular Glutamate Transport Proteins; D012701:Serotonin