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E Marder

Publications and source records attributed to E Marder.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

A modulatory proctolin-containing neuron (MPN). I. Identification and characterization.

The pentapeptide proctolin has been localized previously to the crustacean stomatogastric nervous system and shown to modulate the rhythmic activity of the pyloric network in the stomatogastric ganglion (STG) (Marder et al., 1986; Hooper and Marder, 1987). We have now identified a pair of modulatory proctolin-containing neurons (MPNs) that cause proctolin-like modulation of the pyloric rhythm. Individual MPNs were identified by combining intracellular Lucifer yellow dye injection with rhodamine-visualized proctolin immunolabeling. Both MPNs are located in the esophageal nerve and send processes to the STG. Current injection into one MPN influences the second MPN, suggesting that they are electrically coupled. The 2 MPNs have similar effects on the pyloric rhythm of the STG. Intracellular stimulation of a single MPN was sufficient to enhance already active pyloric rhythms and initiated the pyloric rhythm in quiescent preparations.

Animals↗

A modulatory proctolin-containing neuron (MPN). II. State-dependent modulation of rhythmic motor activity.

The effects of stimulating the modulatory proctolin-containing neurons (MPNs) on the pyloric rhythm of the stomatogastric ganglion of the crab, Cancer borealis, were compared with those produced by exogenously applied proctolin. The effects of both MPN stimulation and proctolin applications depend on the preceding physiological state of the preparation. Both treatments increase the pyloric cycle frequency dramatically in preparations that are slowly cycling, but they have little or no effect on pyloric cycle frequency in preparations that are already rapidly cycling. MPN and proctolin produce maximal pyloric cycle frequencies of about 1.2 Hz, although much faster pyloric frequencies are possible. MPN stimulation and proctolin applications affect the number of impulses fired in each burst by pyloric network neurons. MPN's excitatory actions are longer lasting when a preparation is active than when it is quiescent before stimulation. These data suggest that many of MPN's physiological actions result from its release of proctolin. Small unitary postsynaptic potentials evoked by MPN stimulation in the lateral pyloric neuron may indicate the presence of a second neurotransmitter in MPN.

Action Potentials↗

Substance P-like immunoreactivity in the stomatogastric nervous systems of the crab Cancer borealis and the lobsters Panulirus interruptus and Homarus americanus.

The distribution of substance P-like immunoreactivity in the stomatogastric nervous systems of three decapod crustacean species, Cancer borealis, Homarus americanus, and Panulirus interruptus, was studied. The stomatogastric ganglion showed dense staining in the neuropil, but none in the somata. A single neuron stained in the esophageal ganglion. Lucifer yellow backfills and intracellular injections followed by incubation with the substance P antibody showed that the axons of this neuron project into the inferior esophageal nerves towards the paired commissural ganglia. The commissural ganglia showed a pronounced projection from a large bundle of fibers in the anterior medial portion of the circumesophageal connective. Additionally, less dense neuropil and stained somata were seen in the commissural ganglia. Staining was completely blocked by preabsorption with authentic substance P, physalaemin, eledoisin, and substance K. These data suggest that in the nervous system of crustacean species a molecule with C-terminal homology to substance P and other tachykinins is released as a neuroregulator in the stomatogastric ganglion.

Animals↗

Traumatic asphyxia in New Mexico: a five-year experience.

Compression of the chest causing facial petechiae, violaceous facial hue, subconjunctival hemorrhages, and frequent mental status abnormalities has been termed traumatic asphyxia. We identified 35 such cases occurring in the State of New Mexico from 1980 to 1985 from records of the Office of the Medical Investigator (n = 30) and from cases presenting to the University of New Mexico Trauma Center (n = 5). Among those found at highest risk for traumatic asphyxia were people ejected from motor vehicles, men working under cars that were inadequately supported and fell onto the victims, children under the age of 5 years who were crushed under household furniture, and people involved in construction activities. Traumatic asphyxia following a moving motor vehicle accident was significantly associated with alcohol ingestion (p less than 0.001). Preventive and therapeutic strategies should focus on the groups and events identified.

Accidents↗

Distribution and partial characterization of FMRFamide-like peptides in the stomatogastric nervous systems of the rock crab, Cancer borealis, and the spiny lobster, Panulirus interruptus.

The distribution of FMRFamide-like peptides was studied in the complete stomatogastric nervous system [the paired commissural ganglia, single oesophageal ganglion, and the single stomatogastric ganglion (STG)] of two decapod crustacean species, the spiny lobster Panulirus interruptus and the rock crab Cancer borealis, by using immunocytochemical techniques. Antiserum 231 from the O'Donohue laboratory and antiserum 671C (described here) gave essentially the same staining patterns. In the commissural ganglia of both species there were ten to 20 stained neurons and dense neuropilar staining. The oesophageal ganglion of the crab had four stained neurons. Lucifer Yellow backfills followed by immunostaining showed that the two larger stained neurons of the oesophageal ganglion sent processes into the inferior ventricular nerve. The two smaller neurons sent processes into the inferior oesophageal nerves. The oesophageal ganglion of the lobster had two stained neurons that sent processes into the inferior ventricular nerve as well. None of the somata of the STG stained in either species, but in both species stained fibers were seen in the stomatogastric nerve that entered the STGs and ramified profusely throughout the neuropil. In some preparations of the crab, a stained fiber was visible in the dorsal ventricular nerve. The amounts of the FMRFamide-like peptides found in all regions of the nervous system of P. interruptus and C. borealis were determined by radioimmune assay (RIA). Column chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography suggest that, in both species, much if not all of the RIA-assayable material is accountable for by peptides that are larger and more hydrophobic than FMRFamide.

Animals↗

Modulation of the lobster pyloric rhythm by the peptide proctolin.

The modulation of the pyloric network of the stomatogastric ganglion (STG) of the lobster Panulirus interruptus by the neuropeptide proctolin is described. First, the effects of proctolin on the pyloric motor patterns were characterized in terms of frequency and phase relations. Pyloric cycle frequency and lateral pyloric (LP) neuron activity increased and ventricular dilator (VD) neuron activity decreased with increasing concentrations (10(-9)-10(-6) M) of applied proctolin. Next, the effects of proctolin on the individual neurons that constitute the pyloric network were determined. Identified neurons were isolated from chemical and electrical presynaptic inputs by using pharmacological agents (Marder and Eisen, 1984a) and/or photoinactivation following Lucifer yellow injection (Miller and Selverston, 1979). Proctolin increased the amplitude and frequency of bursts produced by isolated pacemaker anterior burster (AB) neurons. Isolated LP and pyloric (PY) neurons responded to proctolin with increases in activity only when they were at or above threshold. All other pyloric neurons were unaffected. To determine how the direct effects of proctolin on isolated neurons resulted in the observed changes in frequency and phase relations in the motor pattern of the intact pyloric circuit seen in proctolin, individual neurons were deleted from the circuit. A comparison of proctolin's effects on isolated neurons with those on the intact network shows that the synaptic connectivity among neurons directly affected by proctolin and those unaffected by it shapes the network's response to proctolin.

Action Potentials↗

Modulatory action and distribution of the neuropeptide proctolin in the crustacean stomatogastric nervous system.

Immunocytochemical methods were used to map the distribution of proctolinlike immunoreactivity in the stomatogastric nervous systems (stomatogastric ganglion (STG), paired commissural ganglia (CG), oesophageal ganglion (OG), and connecting nerves) of three crustacean species: Panulirus interruptus, Cancer borealis, and Homarus americanus. Although the patterns of proctolinlike staining were similar among the three species, some differences were also observed. Over 70% of the proctolinlike material in STGs, as measured by radioimmunoassay, was indistinguishable from authentic proctolin in reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Bath application of proctolin to STGs from Cancer and Panulirus induced characteristic and robust (though somewhat different) changes in their motor patterns. The threshold concentration was approximately 10(-9)M proctolin, and the effects were dose-dependent. These data suggest that the neuropeptide proctolin serves as a neuromodulator of the stomatogastric ganglion.

Animals↗

The innervation of the pyloric region of the crab, Cancer borealis: homologous muscles in decapod species are differently innervated.

The muscles of the pyloric region of the stomach of the crab, Cancer borealis, are innervated by motorneurons found in the stomatogastric ganglion (STG). Electrophysiological recording and stimulating techniques were used to study the detailed pattern of innervation of the pyloric region muscles. Although there are two Pyloric Dilator (PD) motorneurons in lobsters, previous work reported four PD motorneurons in the crab STG (Dando et al. 1974; Hermann 1979a, b). We now find that only two of the crab PD neurons innervate muscles homologous to those innervated by the PD neurons in the lobster, Panulirus interruptus. The remaining two PD neurons innervate muscles that are innervated by pyloric (PY) neurons in P. interruptus. The innervation patterns of the Lateral Pyloric (LP), Ventricular Dilator (VD), Inferior Cardiac (IC), and PY neurons were also determined and compared with those previously reported in lobsters. Responses of the muscles of the pyloric region to the neurotransmitters, acetylcholine (ACh) and glutamate, were determined by application of exogenous cholinergic agonists and glutamate. The effect of the cholinergic antagonist, curare, on the amplitude of the excitatory junctional potentials (EJPs) evoked by stimulation of the pyloric motor nerves was measured. These experiments suggest that the differences in innervation pattern of the pyloric muscles seen in crab and lobsters are also associated with a change in the neurotransmitter active on these muscles. Possible implications of these findings for phylogenetic relations of decapod crustaceans and for the evolution of neural circuits are discussed.

Acetylcholine↗

A GABA-activated chloride-conductance not blocked by picrotoxin on spiny lobster neuromuscular preparations.

Conductance increases to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) were recorded in the gm6b and opener muscle of the spiny lobsters, Panulirus interruptus and P. argus. GABA-evoked responses were insensitive to picrotoxin at concentrations as high as 5 X 10(-5) M. Some blockade by picrotoxin was observed at higher concentrations. In normal physiological saline, the reversal potential of the Panulirus GABA-induced response was near the resting potential. The reversal potential was unaffected by reductions in sodium and calcium. Reduction of chloride by 50% resulted in a greater than 10 mV shift in the reversal potential of the GABA-induced response. Muscimol was able to mimic the action of GABA while baclofen was without effect. Bicuculline was a weak blocker. Avermectin B1a irreversibly increased the chloride permeability of the gm6b membrane. This conductance increase was blocked by picrotoxin over a range of concentrations similar to those required for blockade of the GABA-induced response. GABA-induced responses of the gm6b muscle of Homarus americanus were blocked almost completely by picrotoxin 10(-6) M. Sensitivity to picrotoxin is not invariably associated with GABA-activated chloride-mediated conductance increases. It is suggested that alteration in the binding-site for picrotoxin on the GABA-activated chloride-ion channel does not change other functional characteristics of the GABA-induced response.

Action Potentials↗

Characterization of transmitter release as a response of vertebrate neural tissue to erythrosin B.

A rat cerebral cortical slice preparation was used to study the response of transmitter release to the application of the food dye, Erythrosin B, a tetraiodinated derivative of fluorescein. Erythrosin B (100 microM) stimulated net release of previously taken up [3H]norepinephrine and [3H]gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). The Erythrosin-induced release of GABA (the only transmitter studied) occurred in the absence of added Ca2+, and in the presence of tetrodotoxin (TTX). Ultrastructural analysis of the vesicle content of frog neuromuscular junctions treated with Erythrosin B revealed a diminution in the number of synaptic vesicles present in the nerve terminal. By using fluorescein and some halogen-substituted derivatives including Erythrosin B, it was found that incubation with the unhalogenated compound caused no net release, whereas incubation with the iodine-, chlorine- or bromine-substituted compound did cause release. It was also found that somewhat greater release induced by Erythrosin B (at 100 microM) occurred in the light than in the dark. That Erythrosin B inhibits the Na+,K+,Mg2+-ATPase was confirmed in this preparation; it did so in both light and dark. The discrepancy between release and Na+,K+,Mg2+-ATPase blockade in the dark suggests that release either occurs by some other mechanism than by Na+,K+,Mg2+-ATPase blockade, or that an additional light-dependent process contributes to the release. We conclude that Erythrosin B can presumably induce net release of transmitters generally, that release does not occur via the TTX-sensitive Na+ channel, that release via vesicles does occur, and that light somewhat enhances the release.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Modulation of a central pattern generator by two neuropeptides, proctolin and FMRFamide.

The neuropeptides, proctolin and FMRFamide, increase the frequency of, and modify the motor pattern produced by, the stomatogastric ganglion (STG) of the crab, Cancer irroratus. Both proctolin-like and FMRFamide-like immunoreactivities are present in fibers in the stomatogastric nerve which terminate in the neuropile of the STG. The neural output of the STG thus appears to be modulated by at least two different groups of peptidergic input fibers.

Animals↗

Transmitter identification of pyloric neurons: electrically coupled neurons use different transmitters.

The neurotransmitters mediating the synaptic interactions among the neurons of the pyloric system of the stomatogastric ganglion (STG) of the lobster, Panulirus interruptus, were examined using a combination of electrophysiological, pharmacological, and biochemical techniques. Iontophoretically applied L-glutamate inhibited all motor neurons of the pyloric system. This inhibitory response was blocked by low concentrations of picrotoxin but unaffected by atropine. The anterior burster (AB) interneuron, pyloric dilator (PD) motor neurons, and ventricular dilator (VD) motor neuron were depolarized and excited by iontophoretically applied acetylcholine (ACh). The lateral pyloric (LP) and pyloric (PY) constrictor motor neurons were inhibited by ACh and by the cholinergic agonist, carbachol. These inhibitory cholinergic responses were blocked by atropine but not by picrotoxin. The inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) evoked by the constrictor motor neurons were blocked by picrotoxin but not by atropine. Taken together with previously published data (15, 18), this suggests that the constrictor motor neurons release glutamate at both their excitatory neuromuscular junctions and their inhibitory intraganglionic junctions. The lucifer yellow photoinactivation technique (27) was used to study separately the neurotransmitters released by the electrically coupled PD and AB neurons. The AB-evoked IPSPs were blocked by picrotoxin but not by atropine. The PD-evoked IPSPs were blocked by atropine and other muscarinic antagonists but not by picrotoxin. Somata of PD neurons contained choline acetyltransferase (CAT) activity, but somata of AB neurons contained no detectable CAT activity. On the basis of the data in this paper and previously published data (17, 18), we conclude that the PD neurons release ACh at both their excitatory neuromuscular junctions and their inhibitory intraganglionic connections. Although the AB neuron is electrically coupled to the PD neurons, the AB neuron is not cholinergic. Glutamate is a likely transmitter candidate for the AB neuron. These data show that electrically coupled neurons can release different transmitters. Furthermore, these data show that an IPSP can be the result of the combined actions of two different neurotransmitters, each released from a different neuron. The functional consequences of these conclusions are explored in the following papers (9, 22).

Acetylcholine↗

Electrically coupled pacemaker neurons respond differently to same physiological inputs and neurotransmitters.

The two pyloric dilator (PD) motor neurons and the single anterior burster (AB) interneuron are electrically coupled and together comprise the pacemaker for the pyloric central pattern generator of the stomatogastric ganglion of the lobster, Panulirus interruptus. Previous work (31) has shown that the AB neuron is an endogenously bursting neuron, while the PD neuron is a conditional burster. In this paper the effects of physiological inputs and neurotransmitters on isolated PD neurons and AB neurons were studied using the lucifer yellow photoinactivation technique (33). Stimulation of the inferior ventricular nerve (IVN) fibers at high frequencies elicits a triphasic response in AB and PD neurons: a rapid excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) followed by a slow inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP), followed by an enhancement of the pacemaker slow-wave depolarizations. Photoinactivation experiments indicate that the enhancement of the slow wave is due primarily to actions of the IVN fibers on the PD neurons but not on the AB neuron. Bath-applied dopamine dramatically alters the motor output of the pyloric system. Photoinactivation experiments show that 10(-4) M dopamine increases the amplitude and frequency of the slow-wave depolarizations recorded in the AB neurons but hyperpolarizes and inhibits the PD neurons. Bath-applied serotonin increases the frequency and amplitude of the slow-wave depolarizations in the AB neuron but has no effect on PD neurons. Pilocarpine, a muscarinic cholinergic agonist, stimulates slow-wave depolarization production in both PD neurons and the AB neuron, but the waveform and frequency of the slow waves elicited are quite different. These results show that although the electrically coupled PD and AB neurons always depolarize synchronously and act together as the pacemaker for the pyloric system, they respond differently to a neuronal input and to several putative neuromodulators. Thus, despite electrical coupling sufficient to ensure synchronous activity, the PD and AB neurons can be modulated independently.

Animals↗

A mechanism for production of phase shifts in a pattern generator.

During motor activity of the pyloric system of the lobster stomatogastric ganglion, there are rhythmic alternations between activity in the pyloric dilator (PD) and pyloric (PY) motor neurons. We studied the phase relations between PD motor neuron activity and PY motor neuron activity in preparations cycling at a wide range of frequencies and after altering the activity of the PD neurons. The PY neurons fall into two classes, early (PE) and late (PL) (21), distinguished by the different phases in the pyloric cycle at which they fire. The phase at which PE neurons fired and the phase at which PL neurons fired was independent of pyloric cycle frequency over a range of frequencies from 0.5 to 2.25 Hz. The anterior burster (AB) interneuron is electrically coupled to the PD motor neurons. Together the AB and PD neurons form the pacemaker for the pyloric system. Synchronous depolarization of the AB and PD neurons evokes a complex inhibitory post-synaptic potential (IPSP) in PY neurons. This IPSP has two components: an early, AB neuron-derived component and a late, PD neuron-derived component. Deletion of the PD neurons from the pyloric circuit by photoinactivation removed the PD-evoked component of the pacemaker-evoked IPSP. This resulted in a decrease in the duration of the IPSP evoked by pacemaker depolarization and a significant advance in the firing phase of PY neurons. Bath application of dopamine was used to hyperpolarize and inhibit the PD neurons (30), causing them to release less neurotransmitter. As a consequence, the duration of the IPSP evoked by pacemaker depolarization was decreased and the firing phase of the PY neurons was significantly advanced. Stimulation of the inferior ventricular nerve (IVN) produces a slow excitation of the PD neurons (30), causing them to release more neurotransmitter. Consequently, the duration of the IPSP evoked by pacemaker depolarization was increased and the firing phase of the PY neurons was significantly retarded for several cycles of pyloric activity following IVN stimulation. Thus, modulation of the strength of PD-evoked inhibition in PY neurons is responsible for altering the firing phase of the PY neurons with respect to the pyloric pacemaker. We suggest that frequency of the pyloric output and the phase relations of the elements within the pyloric cycle can be regulated independently. The potential implications of these data for modulation of synaptic efficacy in other preparations are discussed.

Animals↗

Serotonergic innervation and modulation of the stomatogastric ganglion of three decapod crustaceans (Panulirus interruptus, Homarus americanus and Cancer irroratus).

The serotonergic innervation of the stomatogastric ganglion (STG) of three decapod crustacean species, Panulirus interruptus, Homarus americanus and Cancer irroratus, was studied. Immunohistochemical techniques were used to study the distribution of serotonin-like staining in regions of the stomatogastric system in the three species. In C. irroratus and H. americanus, but not in P. interruptus, serotonin-like staining was found in fibres in the stomatogastric nerve and in neuropil regions of the STG. High performance liquid chromatography confirmed the presence of serotonin in STG of C. irroratus and H. americanus, but serotonin was not found in STG of P. interruptus. Electrophysiological experiments showed that the pyloric motor output of the STG of all three species was influenced by bath applications of serotonin. The STG of P. interruptus responded to serotonin concentrations as low as 10-9M; however the STG of the other two species did not respond until serotonin concentrations in excess of 10-6M were applied. We conclude that serotonin may play a hormonal role in the control of the STG of P. interruptus, but is likely to be a neurotransmitter released by inputs to the STG of H. americanus and C. irroratus.

Animals↗

Roles for electrical coupling in neural circuits as revealed by selective neuronal deletions.

Understanding fully the operation of a neural circuit requires both a description of the individual neurones within the circuit as well as the characterization of their synaptic interactions. These aims are often particularly difficult to achieve in neural circuits containing electrically-coupled neurones. In recent years two new methods (photoinactivation after Lucifer Yellow injection and intracellular injection of pronase) have been employed to delete selectively single neurones or small groups of neurones from neural circuits. These techniques have been successfully used in the analysis of circuits containing electrically-coupled neurones. In several systems new roles for electrical synapses in the integrative function of neural circuits have been proposed. In the nervous systems of both the leech and lobster it is now thought that synaptic interactions previously thought to be direct are mediated through an interposed, electrically-coupled neurone. In the pyloric system of the stomatogastric ganglion of the lobster, Panulirus interruptus, the Lucifer Yellow photoinactivation technique has permitted a separate analysis of the properties of several electrically-coupled neurones previously thought quite similar. We now know that the Anterior Burster (AB) interneurone and the Pyloric Dilator (PD) motor neurones, which together act as the pacemaker ensemble for the pyloric network, differ in many regards including their intrinsic ability to generate bursting pacemaker potentials, their neurotransmitters, their sensitivity to some neurotransmitters and hormones, the neural inputs they receive and their pattern of synaptic connectivity. These results will be discussed in the context of the role of electrical coupling in neuronal integration.

Animals↗

Mechanisms underlying pattern generation in lobster stomatogastric ganglion as determined by selective inactivation of identified neurons. III. Synaptic connections of electrically coupled pyloric neurons.

1. The pyloric dilator (PD) and anterior burster (AB) neurons in the pyloric system of the lobster stomatogastric ganglion are electrically coupled and synchronously active. We have used the lucifer yellow photoinactivation technique to separate the connections made by the PD motor neurons from those made by the AB interneuron. 2. Photoinactivation of either the two PD neurons or the single AB neuron allowed us to separate the compound inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) in the lateral pyloric (LP) and pyloric (PY) motor neurons resulting from synchronous PD and AB activity into AB-evoked and PD-evoked components. These IPSPs have different time courses, reversal potentials, ion selectivities, and pharmacological properties. 3. Photoinactivation and membrane-potential manipulations indicated that a readily observable IPSP recorded in the AB neuron and correlated with action potentials in the LP neuron is actually an electrotonic potential due to an LP-evoked IPSP in the PD neurons. 4. Selective inactivation of either the two PD neurons or the AB neuron revealed that the IPSP recorded in the ventricular dilator (VD) motor neuron is due solely to AB-released transmitter. 5. The electrical coupling potentials measurable between the AB, PD, and VD neuron somata are due to direct electrical coupling between all of these neurons. 6. Circuit analysis and transmitter identification may be complicated by electrical coupling. We suggest that the presence of electrical coupling between nonidentical neurons may provide a new mechanism that allows changes in synaptic characteristics among neurons within a "hard-wired" circuit.

Animals↗