Direction-selective ganglion cells respond strongly to an image moving in the preferred direction and weakly to an image moving in the opposite, or null direction. Direction-selective ganglion cells are critical for driving ocular-motor reflexes tat stabilize images on the retina as we move through a visual scene as well as for sensing the movement of objects within the visual scene. The preferred directions of direction- selective ganglion cells cluster along the cardinal directions (up, down, left and right). The predominant model for the generation of direction selectivity in the retina is that a particular class of interneurons forms inhibitory synapses on the null side of the dendritic tree of direction-selectiv ganglion cells. The mechanisms that instruct the emergence of preferred directions and the circuits that underlie these mechanisms during development are unknown. Here we propose to use a combination of state-of-the-art electrophysiological, two- photon imaging and optogenetic techniques to determine the mechanisms that underlie the development of two essential features of direction-selectivity - the emergence of preferred directions, and the circuits that create null side inhibition. In particular, we will determine if visual experience plays a criticalrole in the formation of these circuits.

Public Health Relevance

Our research goal is to determine the factors that instruct the development of visual responses in the mammalian retina. In particular, we are studying the circuits that enable the retina to detect the direction of motion of an object in a visual scene. Or work will determine what role visual experience plays in wiring up these direction-selective circuits and what forms the cellular and synaptic basis of these developmental processes.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01EY019498-12
Application #
10061596
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1)
Program Officer
Greenwell, Thomas
Project Start
2009-07-01
Project End
2021-11-30
Budget Start
2020-12-01
Budget End
2021-11-30
Support Year
12
Fiscal Year
2021
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California Berkeley
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
124726725
City
Berkeley
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94710
Tiriac, Alexandre; Smith, Benjamin E; Feller, Marla B (2018) Light Prior to Eye Opening Promotes Retinal Waves and Eye-Specific Segregation. Neuron 100:1059-1065.e4
Marques, Tiago; Summers, Mathew T; Fioreze, Gabriela et al. (2018) A Role for Mouse Primary Visual Cortex in Motion Perception. Curr Biol 28:1703-1713.e6
Morrie, Ryan D; Feller, Marla B (2018) A Dense Starburst Plexus Is Critical for Generating Direction Selectivity. Curr Biol 28:1204-1212.e5
Bos, RĂ©mi; Gainer, Christian; Feller, Marla B (2016) Role for Visual Experience in the Development of Direction-Selective Circuits. Curr Biol 26:1367-75
Rosa, Juliana M; Morrie, Ryan D; Baertsch, Hans C et al. (2016) Contributions of Rod and Cone Pathways to Retinal Direction Selectivity Through Development. J Neurosci 36:9683-95
Vlasits, Anna L; Morrie, Ryan D; Tran-Van-Minh, Alexandra et al. (2016) A Role for Synaptic Input Distribution in a Dendritic Computation of Motion Direction in the Retina. Neuron 89:1317-1330
Morrie, Ryan D; Feller, Marla B (2016) Development of synaptic connectivity in the retinal direction selective circuit. Curr Opin Neurobiol 40:45-52
Firl, Alana; Ke, Jiang-Bin; Zhang, Lei et al. (2015) Elucidating the role of AII amacrine cells in glutamatergic retinal waves. J Neurosci 35:1675-86
Morrie, Ryan D; Feller, Marla B (2015) An Asymmetric Increase in Inhibitory Synapse Number Underlies the Development of a Direction Selective Circuit in the Retina. J Neurosci 35:9281-6
Hamby, Aaron M; Rosa, Juliana M; Hsu, Ching-Hsiu et al. (2015) CaV3.2 KO mice have altered retinal waves but normal direction selectivity. Vis Neurosci 32:E003

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