Cited by 104Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchNicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors StudyNeurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior

Synaptic-like axo-axonal transmission from striatal cholinergic interneurons onto dopaminergic fibers

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Kramer, Paul F., Brill-Weil, Samuel G., Cummins, Alex C., Zhang, Renshu, Camacho-Hernandez, Gisela A., Newman, Amy H., Eldridge, Mark A.G., Averbeck, Bruno B. +1 more·2022·Neuron

Published version of a preprint

Abstract

Transmission from striatal cholinergic interneurons (CINs) controls dopamine release through nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) on dopaminergic axons. Anatomical studies suggest that cholinergic terminals signal predominantly through non-synaptic volume transmission. However, the influence of cholinergic transmission on electrical signaling in axons remains unclear. We examined axo-axonal transmission from CINs onto dopaminergic axons using perforated-patch recordings, which revealed rapid spontaneous EPSPs with properties characteristic of fast synapses. Pharmacology showed that axonal EPSPs (axEPSPs) were mediated primarily by high-affinity α6-containing receptors. Remarkably, axEPSPs triggered spontaneous action potentials, suggesting that these axons perform integration to convert synaptic input into spiking, a function associated with somatodendritic compartments. We investigated the cross-species validity of cholinergic axo-axonal transmission by recording dopaminergic axons in macaque putamen and found similar axEPSPs. Thus, we reveal that synaptic-like neurotransmission underlies cholinergic signaling onto dopaminergic axons, supporting the idea that striatal dopamine release can occur independently of somatic firing to provide distinct signaling.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.07.011

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  • Direct recordings from DA axon terminals in the striatum determined that Ach release from CINs onto dopamine axons primarily activates nAchRs and can locally induce action potentials.

    “Heroic electrophysiological experiments that intracellularly recorded directly from DA axon terminals in the striatum unambiguously determined that synaptic release of Ach from CINs onto dopamine axons primarily activates nAchRs and is even capable of locally inducing APs.62”

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Authors
Kramer, P. F., Brill-Weil, S. G., Cummins, A. C., Zhang, R., Camacho-Hernandez, G. A., Newman, A. H., Eldridge, M. A. G., Averbeck, B. B., & Khaliq, Z. M.
Affiliations
National Institutes of Health (US)
Corresponding author
Khaliq, Zayd M.
Venue
Neuron
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2022-09
Volume
110
Issue
18
Pages
2949-2960.e4
ISSN
0896-6273 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4289780969
Cited by
104
References
88
Citations by year
2026: 13 · 2025: 38 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 24 · 2022: 8
FWCI
10.06
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Neuron (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • Newcastle University ePrints (Newcastle Univesity) (cc-by-nc-nd)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Institute of Mental Health (ZIAMH002928)
  • National Institute on Drug Abuse (ZIADA000610)
  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NS003135, ZIANS003135)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Study
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
Keywords
striatal cholinergic interneurons, dopaminergic axons, nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, spontaneous action potentials, striatal dopamine release, putamen, macaque
MeSH terms
Axons, Cholinergic Fibers, Corpus Striatum, Dopamine, Interneurons, Synaptic Transmission, Receptors, Nicotinic, Cholinergic Agents

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