title: Development of synaptic connectivity in the retinal direction selective circuit.
abstract: Direction selectivity is a classic neuronal computation that has been described in many different sensory systems. The circuit basis of this computation is perhaps best understood in the retina, where direction selectivity is the result of asymmetric connectivity patterns between excitatory and inhibitory circuit components. Retinal direction selective circuits emerge before eye-opening, though components of the circuit undergo refinement after vision begins. These features make the direction selective circuit a rich model in which to investigate neuronal circuit assembly. In this Opinion, we highlight recent experiments investigating the contribution of various molecular cues, as well as neuronal activity, to the development of the retinal direction selective circuit.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720-3200, United States.
authors.forename: Ryan D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Morrie
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720-3200, United States; Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720-3200, United States. Electronic address: mfeller@berkeley.edu.
authors.forename: Marla B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Feller
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003463:Cues; D054351:Electrical Synapses / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D012160:Retina / Q000502:physiology*; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000502:physiology