Transgenic mice reveal unexpected diversity of on-off direction-selective retinal ganglion cell subtypes and brain structures involved in motion processing

J Neurosci. 2011 Jun 15;31(24):8760-9. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0564-11.2011.

Abstract

On-Off direction-selective retinal ganglion cells (DSGCs) encode the axis of visual motion. They respond strongly to an object moving in a preferred direction and weakly to an object moving in the opposite, "null," direction. Historically, On-Off DSGCs were classified into four subtypes according to their directional preference (anterior, posterior, superior, or inferior). Here, we compare two genetically identified populations of On-Off DSGCs: dopamine receptor 4 (DRD4)-DSGCs and thyrotropin-releasing hormone receptor (TRHR)-DSGCs. We find that although both populations are tuned for posterior motion, they can be distinguished by a variety of physiological and anatomical criteria. First, the directional tuning of TRHR-DSGCs is broader than that of DRD4-DSGCs. Second, whereas both populations project similarly to the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus, they project differently to the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus and the superior colliculus. Moreover, TRHR-DSGCs, but not DRD4-DSGCs, also project to the zona incerta, a thalamic area not previously known to receive direction-tuned visual information. Our findings reveal unexpected diversity among mouse On-Off DSGC subtypes that uniquely process and convey image motion to the brain.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials / genetics
  • Action Potentials / physiology
  • Age Factors
  • Amacrine Cells / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Cholera Toxin / metabolism
  • Dendrites / physiology
  • Female
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Motion
  • Motion Perception / physiology*
  • Orientation / physiology*
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques / methods
  • Photic Stimulation / methods
  • Psychophysics
  • Receptors, Dopamine D4 / genetics
  • Receptors, Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone / genetics
  • Retina / cytology*
  • Retinal Ganglion Cells / classification*
  • Retinal Ganglion Cells / cytology
  • Retinal Ganglion Cells / physiology*
  • Vesicular Acetylcholine Transport Proteins / metabolism
  • Visual Pathways / physiology

Substances

  • DRD4 protein, human
  • Receptors, Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone
  • Slc18a3 protein, mouse
  • Vesicular Acetylcholine Transport Proteins
  • Receptors, Dopamine D4
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Cholera Toxin