Quantitative Chemical Composition of Cortical GABAergic Neurons Revealed in Transgenic Venus-Expressing Rats

• DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhm056
• Publication Date: 2007-05-22T08:29:22Z
• Authors: M. Uematsu; Y. Hirai; F. Karube; S. Ebihara; M. Kato; K. Abe; K. Obata; S. Yoshida; M. Hirabayashi; Y. Yanagawa; Y. Kawaguchi
• Keywords: Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid

Although neocortical GABAergic (γ-aminobutyric acidergic) interneurons have been the focus of intense study, especially in rat, a consensus view functional diversity and organization inhibitory cortical neurons has not yet achieved. To better analyze we used bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) construct established 2 lines transgenic rats that coexpress Venus, yellow fluorescent protein, with vesicular GABA transporter. The brain content from both was similar to level found wild-type rats. In frontal cortex, Venus expressed >95% neurons, most which also at least one 6 biochemical markers, including α-actitin-2, preferentially labeled late-spiking neurogliaform cells. Taking advantage fact expression allows for targeted recording all classes nonpyramidal cells, irrespective their somatic morphologies, demonstrated fast-spiking were heterogeneous size as well vertical dendritic projection, had relatively uniform horizontal dimensions, suggesting cell type–specific columnar input territory. Our data demonstrate benefits VGAT-Venus investigating circuits, feasibility using BAC technology label subsets specific, genetically defined neurons.