In the studies supported during the previous funding period we discovered that perinatally deep layer SST-cINs but not PV-cINs within the barrel cortex receive strong but transient input from the ventrobasal thalamus. In addition, perturbations to the connectivity of early born deep layer SST-cIN within the somatosensory cortex have a lasting impact on the subsequent establishment of the feedforward inhibitory circuits formed between PV cINs and deep layer pyramidal neurons. Our goals within the present proposal are two-fold. First, we wish to determine whether our previous findings reflect a general principle underlying the establishment of inhibitory cortical circuitry (Aim 1) by examining the interactions between thalamus, SST and PV cINs within regions of the cortex that either subserve a similar sensory role in perception (i.e. visual) or markedly different executive functions (i.e. prefrontal). Moreover, we will leverage our previous findings to explore the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying these events in the somatosensory cortex. Preliminary findings presented here demonstrate a requirement for activity for the maturation of both SST and PV cINs.
In Aim 2, we will explore the hypothesis that the mode of glutamate- signaling within developing SST cINs controls their connectivity. Specifically, we will test the hypothesis that ionotropic AMPA-mediated signaling promotes maturation and connectivity of SST cINs, while mGluR1/5 metabotropic-mediated signaling acts to limit this connectivity. Finally, in Aim 3, we will examine the molecular changes that occur within SST and PV cINs during the periods when these events occur. We will also explore the requirement for the NURD-associated transcription factor SatB1, which is activity- dependent and is required for the maturation of SST and PV cINs both in the establishment of L5/6 inhibitory circuitry.
Although the present experiments are focused at a basic level on early events involved in cortical development, a growing body of evidence suggests that developmental perturbations in cortical interneuron populations results in a variety of affective brain disorders, including schizophrenia, epilepsy and ASD. Although Satb1 mutations have at least as yet not been implicated a risk gene for these disorders, both Satb1 null mice and the conditional removal of Satb1 in cINs result in behavioral abnormalities including hind-limb clasping reflex and interictal epileptiform seizure activity, particularly during sleep. It thus seems extremely likely that findings from these studies will have direct bearing on our understanding of the etiology of affective neurological disorders and their relationship to aberrant cortical development.
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