Motor-circuit communication matrix from spinal cord to brainstem neurons revealed by developmental origin.
Accurate motor-task execution relies on continuous comparison of planned and performed actions. Motor-output pathways establish internal circuit collaterals for this purpose. Here we focus on motor collateral organization between spinal cord and upstream neurons in the brainstem. We used a newly developed mouse genetic tool intersectionally with viruses to uncover the connectivity rules of these ascending pathways by capturing the transient expression of neuronal subpopulation determinants. We reveal a widespread and diverse network of spinal dual-axon neurons, with coincident input to forelimb motor neurons and the lateral reticular nucleus (LRN) in the brainstem. Spinal information to the LRN is not segregated by motor pool or neurotransmitter identity. Instead, it is organized according to the developmental domain origin of the progenitor cells. Thus, excerpts of most spinal information destined for action are relayed to supraspinal centers through exquisitely organized ascending connectivity modules, enabling precise communication between command and execution centers of movement.
Biozentrum, Department of Cell Biology, University of Basel, Basel 4056, Switzerland; Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel 4058, Switzerland.
Chiara
C
Pivetta
Biozentrum, Department of Cell Biology, University of Basel, Basel 4056, Switzerland; Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel 4058, Switzerland.
Maria Soledad
MS
Esposito
Biozentrum, Department of Cell Biology, University of Basel, Basel 4056, Switzerland; Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel 4058, Switzerland.
Markus
M
Sigrist
Biozentrum, Department of Cell Biology, University of Basel, Basel 4056, Switzerland; Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel 4058, Switzerland. Electronic address: silvia.arber@unibas.ch.
Silvia
S
Arber
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000502:physiology*; D005821:Genetic Techniques; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D009434:Neural Pathways; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D013569:Synapses
D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents