Subtype-selective electroporation of cortical interneurons.

TitleSubtype-selective electroporation of cortical interneurons.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2014
AuthorsGarcĂ­a NVDe Marco, Fishell G
JournalJ Vis Exp
Issue90
Paginatione51518
Date Published2014 Aug 18
ISSN1940-087X
KeywordsAnimals, Electroporation, Female, GABAergic Neurons, Gene Expression, Homeodomain Proteins, Interneurons, Mice, Microinjections, Prosencephalon
Abstract

The study of central nervous system (CNS) maturation relies on genetic targeting of neuronal populations. However, the task of restricting the expression of genes of interest to specific neuronal subtypes has proven remarkably challenging due to the relative scarcity of specific promoter elements. GABAergic interneurons constitute a neuronal population with extensive genetic and morphological diversity. Indeed, more than 11 different subtypes of GABAergic interneurons have been characterized in the mouse cortex. Here we present an adapted protocol for selective targeting of GABAergic populations. We achieved subtype selective targeting of GABAergic interneurons by using the enhancer element of the homeobox transcription factors Dlx5 and Dlx6, homologues of the Drosophila distal-less (Dll) gene, to drive the expression of specific genes through in utero electroporation.

DOI10.3791/51518
Alternate JournalJ Vis Exp
PubMed ID25177832
PubMed Central IDPMC4243608
Grant ListP01 NS074972 / NS / NINDS NIH HHS / United States
5 K99 MH095825-02 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
5 R01 MH071679-09 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
1 P01 NS074972-01A1 / NS / NINDS NIH HHS / United States
R01 MH071679 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
5 R01 MH095147-02 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
5 R01 NS081297-02 / NS / NINDS NIH HHS / United States
K99 MH095825 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
R01 MH095147 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
R01 NS081297 / NS / NINDS NIH HHS / United States
R00 MH095825 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States