Integrating barcoded neuroanatomy with spatial transcriptional profiling enables identification of gene correlates of projections

Nat Neurosci. 2021 Jun;24(6):873-885. doi: 10.1038/s41593-021-00842-4. Epub 2021 May 10.

Abstract

Functional circuits consist of neurons with diverse axonal projections and gene expression. Understanding the molecular signature of projections requires high-throughput interrogation of both gene expression and projections to multiple targets in the same cells at cellular resolution, which is difficult to achieve using current technology. Here, we introduce BARseq2, a technique that simultaneously maps projections and detects multiplexed gene expression by in situ sequencing. We determined the expression of cadherins and cell-type markers in 29,933 cells and the projections of 3,164 cells in both the mouse motor cortex and auditory cortex. Associating gene expression and projections in 1,349 neurons revealed shared cadherin signatures of homologous projections across the two cortical areas. These cadherins were enriched across multiple branches of the transcriptomic taxonomy. By correlating multigene expression and projections to many targets in single neurons with high throughput, BARseq2 provides a potential path to uncovering the molecular logic underlying neuronal circuits.

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.
  • Technical Report

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Auditory Cortex / chemistry
  • Auditory Cortex / metabolism*
  • Brain Mapping / methods*
  • Electronic Data Processing / methods*
  • Gene Regulatory Networks / genetics*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Motor Cortex / chemistry
  • Motor Cortex / metabolism*
  • Neural Pathways / chemistry
  • Neural Pathways / metabolism