| First Author | Tokarska A | Year | 2022 |
| Journal | Cell Rep | Volume | 39 |
| Issue | 8 | Pages | 110842 |
| PubMed ID | 35613598 | Mgi Jnum | J:325321 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:7284019 | Doi | 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110842 |
| Citation | Tokarska A, et al. (2022) GABAergic interneurons expressing the alpha2 nicotinic receptor subunit are functionally integrated in the striatal microcircuit. Cell Rep 39(8):110842 |
| abstractText | The interactions between the striatal cholinergic and GABAergic systems are crucial in shaping reward-related behavior and reinforcement learning; however, the synaptic pathways mediating them are largely unknown. Here, we use Chrna2-Cre mice to characterize striatal interneurons (INs) expressing the nicotinic alpha2 receptor subunit. Using triple patch-clamp recordings combined with optogenetic stimulations, we characterize the electrophysiological, morphological, and synaptic properties of striatal Chrna2-INs. Striatal Chrna2-INs have diverse electrophysiological properties, distinct from their counterparts in other brain regions, including the hippocampus and neocortex. Unlike in other regions, most striatal Chrna2-INs are fast-spiking INs expressing parvalbumin. Striatal Chrna2-INs are intricately integrated in the striatal microcircuit, forming inhibitory synaptic connections with striatal projection neurons and INs, including other Chrna2-INs. They receive excitatory inputs from primary motor cortex mediated by both AMPA and NMDA receptors. A subpopulation of Chrna2-INs responds to nicotinic input, suggesting reciprocal interactions between this GABAergic interneuron population and striatal cholinergic synapses. |
