A subset of presympathetic-premotor neurons within the centrally projecting Edinger-Westphal nucleus expresses urocortin-1. 2013

Najmul S Shah, and Phyllis C Pugh, and Hyungwoo Nam, and Devin T Rosenthal, and Diane van Wijk, and Balazs Gaszner, and Tamas Kozicz, and Ilan A Kerman
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.

Numerous motivated behaviors require simultaneous activation of somatomotor and autonomic functions. We have previously characterized the organization of brain circuits that may mediate this integration. Presympathetic premotor neurons (PSPMNs) that are part of such circuits are distributed across multiple brain regions, which mediate stress-elicited behavioral and physiological responses, including the Edinger-Westphal nucleus (EW). Based on its connectivity and function, EW has recently been re-classified into a preganglionic (EWpg) and a centrally projecting (EWcp) population. Neurons within EWcp are the major source of urocortin 1 (Ucn-1), an analog of the corticotropin-releasing factor that binds the CRFR1 and CRFR2 receptors and has been implicated in mediating homeostatic responses to stress. We hypothesized that a subset of EWcp PSPMNs expresses Ucn-1. Utilizing dual-label immunofluorescence, we initially mapped the distribution of Ucn-1 and cholinergic neurons within EW in colchicine pre-treated rats. Based on this labeling we divided EWcp into three neuroanatomical levels. To examine connections of EWcp neurons to the gastrocnemius muscle and the adrenal gland, we next employed trans-synaptic tract-tracing in a second group of rats, utilizing two pseudorabies virus (PRV) recombinants that express unique reporter proteins. Using multi-label immunofluorescent staining, we identified the presence of Ucn-1-positive PSPMNs, dually labeled with PRV and present throughout the entire extent of EWcp and intermingled with Ucn-1 neurons infected with one or neither of the viral recombinants. Compared to rats pretreated with colchicine, we observed significantly fewer Ucn-1 neurons in animals that received PRV injections. Post hoc analyses revealed significantly fewer Ucn-1 neurons at the rostral level as compared to the caudal and middle levels. These data suggest functional and anatomic heterogeneity within EWcp; this organization may coordinate various aspects of stress-elicited and emotionally salient behaviors.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008636 Mesencephalon The middle of the three primitive cerebral vesicles of the embryonic brain. Without further subdivision, midbrain develops into a short, constricted portion connecting the PONS and the DIENCEPHALON. Midbrain contains two major parts, the dorsal TECTUM MESENCEPHALI and the ventral TEGMENTUM MESENCEPHALI, housing components of auditory, visual, and other sensorimoter systems. Midbrain,Mesencephalons,Midbrains
D009415 Nerve Net A meshlike structure composed of interconnecting nerve cells that are separated at the synaptic junction or joined to one another by cytoplasmic processes. In invertebrates, for example, the nerve net allows nerve impulses to spread over a wide area of the net because synapses can pass information in any direction. Neural Networks (Anatomic),Nerve Nets,Net, Nerve,Nets, Nerve,Network, Neural (Anatomic),Networks, Neural (Anatomic),Neural Network (Anatomic)
D005786 Gene Expression Regulation Any of the processes by which nuclear, cytoplasmic, or intercellular factors influence the differential control (induction or repression) of gene action at the level of transcription or translation. Gene Action Regulation,Regulation of Gene Expression,Expression Regulation, Gene,Regulation, Gene Action,Regulation, Gene Expression
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D017207 Rats, Sprague-Dawley A strain of albino rat used widely for experimental purposes because of its calmness and ease of handling. It was developed by the Sprague-Dawley Animal Company. Holtzman Rat,Rats, Holtzman,Sprague-Dawley Rat,Rats, Sprague Dawley,Holtzman Rats,Rat, Holtzman,Rat, Sprague-Dawley,Sprague Dawley Rat,Sprague Dawley Rats,Sprague-Dawley Rats
D051381 Rats The common name for the genus Rattus. Rattus,Rats, Laboratory,Rats, Norway,Rattus norvegicus,Laboratory Rat,Laboratory Rats,Norway Rat,Norway Rats,Rat,Rat, Laboratory,Rat, Norway,norvegicus, Rattus
D054832 Urocortins Neuropeptides of about 40 amino acids which are structurally similar to CORTICOTROPIN-RELEASING FACTOR. Unlike CRF acting primarily through type 1 CRF RECEPTORS, urocortins signal preferentially through type 2 CRF receptors. Urocortins have wide tissue distribution from fish to mammals, and diverse functions. In mammals, urocortins can suppress food intake, delays gastric emptying, and decreases heat-induced edema. Urocortin,Ucn II,Ucn III,Urocortin 1,Urocortin 2,Urocortin 3,Urocortin I,Urocortin II,Urocortin III
D059329 Cholinergic Neurons Neurons whose primary neurotransmitter is ACETYLCHOLINE. Cholinergic Neuron,Neuron, Cholinergic,Neurons, Cholinergic

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