Cited by 135Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchNeural dynamics and brain functionNeuropeptides and Animal Physiology

Cortical ChAT+ neurons co-transmit acetylcholine and GABA in a target- and brain-region-specific manner

Open access
Granger, Adam J, Wang, Wengang, Robertson, Keiramarie, El-Rifai, Mahmoud, Zanello, Andrea F, Bistrong, Karina, Saunders, Arpiar, Chow, Brian W +5 more·2020·eLife

Published version of a preprint

Abstract

Abstract The cerebral cortex contains neurons that express choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and are a potential local source of acetylcholine. However, the neurotransmitters released by cortical ChAT + neurons and their synaptic connectivity are unknown. We show that the nearly all cortical ChAT + neurons are specialized VIP + interneurons that release GABA strongly onto other inhibitory interneurons and acetylcholine sparsely onto layer 1 interneurons and other VIP + /ChAT + interneurons. This differential transmission of ACh and GABA based on the postsynaptic target neuron is reflected in VIP + /ChAT + interneuron pre-synaptic terminals, as quantitative molecular analysis shows that only a subset of these are specialized to release acetylcholine. In addition, we identify a separate, sparse population of non-VIP ChAT + neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex with a distinct developmental origin that robustly release acetylcholine in layer 1. These results demonstrate both cortex-region heterogeneity in cortical ChAT + interneurons and target-specific co-release of acetylcholine and GABA.

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Crossref · 10.7554/elife.57749

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  • Ach is the primary transmitter when the postsynaptic neuron is a layer 1 interneuron or another VIP/Chat+ neuron and the receptors are nAchRs.

    “Ach is the primary transmitter when the postsynaptic neuron is a layer 1 interneuron or another VIP/Chat+ neuron and the postsynaptic receptors are nAchRs.”
  • The regional differences in VIP/ChAT+ transmission may arise from a distinct population of VIP-negative cholinergic interneurons in mPFC.

    “However, these differences may be due to the existence of a unique population of VIPÀ CINs in this region.97”
  • Optogenetic excitation of VIP/ChAT+ neurons in motor and visual cortex revealed GABAergic output primarily to other interneuron subtypes, with a bias toward Sst+ cortical interneurons.

    “Optogenetic excitation of VIP/Chat+ neurons in the motor and visual cortex revealed GABAergic output primarily to other interneuron subtypes, with a bias toward the Sst+ cortical interneurons.”
  • Cholinergic EPSCs from VIP/ChAT+ neurons were sparse but primarily detected in layer 1 interneurons and other VIP cells.

    “Cholinergic EPSCs were sparse, but primarily detected in layer 1 interneurons and other VIP cells.97”
  • The net effect of VIP/Chat+ activity on the cortical microcircuit is disinhibition of excitatory pyramidal neurons by engaging multiple cell types across the cortical column.

    “The net effect of VIP/Chat+ activity on the cortical microcircuit is disinhibition of excitatory pyramidal neurons by engaging multiple cell types across the cortical column.97,98”

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Authors
Granger, A. J., Wang, W., Robertson, K., El-Rifai, M., Zanello, A. F., Bistrong, K., Saunders, A., Chow, B. W., Nuñez, V., Turrero García, M., Harwell, C. C., Gu, C., & Sabatini, B. L.
Affiliations
  • Howard Hughes Medical Institute (US)
  • Harvard University (US)
  • Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
Corresponding author
Sabatini, Bernardo L
Venue
eLife
Published
2020-07-02
Volume
9
ISSN
2050-084X (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3038435474
Cited by
124
References
70
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 56 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 4
FWCI
5.96
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • eLife (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) (acceptedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (R37 NS046579, K99 NS102429, P30Ns072030)
  • Jane Coffin Childs Memorial Fund for Medical Research
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural dynamics and brain function
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology
Keywords
choline acetyltransferase, acetylcholine, VIP interneurons, cortical interneurons, layer 1 interneurons, medial prefrontal cortex, synaptic connectivity, cholinergic interneurons, mouse cortex
MeSH terms
Acetylcholine, Animals, Brain, Cerebral Cortex, Choline O-Acetyltransferase, gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Heterozygote, Interneurons, Neurons, Prefrontal Cortex, Presynaptic Terminals, Mice

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