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  • Circuits for grasping: spinal dI3 interneurons mediate cutaneous control of motor behavior.

Circuits for grasping: spinal dI3 interneurons mediate cutaneous control of motor behavior.

Neuron (2013-04-16)
Tuan V Bui, Turgay Akay, Osama Loubani, Thomas S Hnasko, Thomas M Jessell, Robert M Brownstone
ABSTRACT

Accurate motor performance depends on the integration in spinal microcircuits of sensory feedback information. Hand grasp is a skilled motor behavior known to require cutaneous sensory feedback, but spinal microcircuits that process and relay this feedback to the motor system have not been defined. We sought to define classes of spinal interneurons involved in the cutaneous control of hand grasp in mice and to show that dI3 interneurons, a class of dorsal spinal interneurons marked by the expression of Isl1, convey input from low threshold cutaneous afferents to motoneurons. Mice in which the output of dI3 interneurons has been inactivated exhibit deficits in motor tasks that rely on cutaneous afferent input. Most strikingly, the ability to maintain grip strength in response to increasing load is lost following genetic silencing of dI3 interneuron output. Thus, spinal microcircuits that integrate cutaneous feedback crucial for paw grip rely on the intermediary role of dI3 interneurons.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Biotin, European Pharmacopoeia (EP) Reference Standard
Supelco
Biotin, certified reference material, TraceCERT®, Manufactured by: Sigma-Aldrich Production GmbH, Switzerland
Sigma-Aldrich
Biotin, tested according to Ph. Eur.
Sigma-Aldrich
Biotin, ≥99.0% (T)
Sigma-Aldrich
Biotin, meets USP testing specifications
Sigma-Aldrich
Biotin, powder, BioReagent, suitable for cell culture, suitable for insect cell culture, suitable for plant cell culture, ≥99%
Supelco
Biotin, Pharmaceutical Secondary Standard; Certified Reference Material