The objective of the proposed research program is to further our understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the formation of specific retinogeniculate projections in the primate visual system. We will focus on the development of the two major functional streams, magnocellular (M) and parvocellular (P), which at maturity are a hallmark of the primate visual system.
In Specific Aim 1, we will utilize modern neuroanatomical tracing methods in combination with pre- and postsynaptic molecular markers to learn how the formation of M and P pathways relates to synapse formation in the dLGN. Our working hypotheses are: (i) that eye-specific inputs form in the P pathway earlier than in the M pathway, and (ii) that selective ingrowth of retinal fibers into the P and/or M subdivisions of the dLGN occurs prior to synaptogenesis.
In Specific Aim 2 we will define the spatiotemporal properties of retinal activity during the time that retinal axons selectively innervate the M and P segments of the dLGN. If correlated retinal activity is observed at this early stage of development, we will assess the effects of perturbing and also blocking such activity on the formation of M and P retinogeniculate projections using a novel immunotoxin developed in our laboratory. The foregoing experiments will tell us whether or not neuronal activity plays a role in the development of these two functionally distinct pathways.
In Specific Aim 3 we will utilize DNA microarrays and in situ hybridization methods to find molecular cues expressed in the developing dLGN during the period when M and P pathways are being formed. The proposed research program will break new ground by increasing our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the formation of M and P pathways which are a distinguishing feature of the primate visual system.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01EY016182-04
Application #
7483587
Study Section
Central Visual Processing Study Section (CVP)
Program Officer
Steinmetz, Michael A
Project Start
2005-09-01
Project End
2010-07-31
Budget Start
2008-08-01
Budget End
2009-07-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2008
Total Cost
$361,613
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California Davis
Department
Neurosciences
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
047120084
City
Davis
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
95618
Kiley, Caitlin W; Usrey, W Martin (2017) Orientation Tuning of Correlated Activity in the Developing Lateral Geniculate Nucleus. J Neurosci 37:11549-11558
Usrey, W Martin; Alitto, Henry J (2015) Visual Functions of the Thalamus. Annu Rev Vis Sci 1:351-371
Iwai, Lena; Ohashi, Yohei; van der List, Deborah et al. (2013) FoxP2 is a parvocellular-specific transcription factor in the visual thalamus of monkeys and ferrets. Cereb Cortex 23:2204-12
Rubin, Carol M; van der List, Deborah A; Ballesteros, Jose M et al. (2011) Mouse mutants for the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ß2 subunit display changes in cell adhesion and neurodegeneration response genes. PLoS One 6:e18626
Moore 4th, Bartlett D; Kiley, Caitlin W; Sun, Chao et al. (2011) Rapid plasticity of visual responses in the adult lateral geniculate nucleus. Neuron 71:812-9
Rathbun, Daniel L; Warland, David K; Usrey, W Martin (2010) Spike timing and information transmission at retinogeniculate synapses. J Neurosci 30:13558-66
Chalupa, Leo M (2009) Retinal waves are unlikely to instruct the formation of eye-specific retinogeniculate projections. Neural Dev 4:25
Sun, Chao; Warland, David K; Ballesteros, Jose M et al. (2008) Retinal waves in mice lacking the beta2 subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 105:13638-43
Murray, Karl D; Rubin, Carol M; Jones, Edward G et al. (2008) Molecular correlates of laminar differences in the macaque dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus. J Neurosci 28:12010-22
Chalupa, Leo M (2007) A reassessment of the role of activity in the formation of eye-specific retinogeniculate projections. Brain Res Rev 55:228-36

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