Abstract
Spinal cord circuits play a key role in receiving and transmitting somatosensory information from the body and the brain. They also contribute to the timing and coordination of complex patterns of movement. Under disease conditions, such as spinal cord injury and neuropathic pain, spinal cord circuits receive pain signals from peripheral nerves, and are involved in pain development via neurotransmitters and inflammatory mediators released from neurons and glial cells. Despite the importance of spinal cord circuits in sensory and motor functions, many questions remain regarding the relationship between activation of specific cells and behavioral responses. Optogenetics offers the possibility of understanding the complex cellular activity and mechanisms of spinal cord circuits, as well as having therapeutic potential for addressing spinal cord-related disorders. In this review, we discuss recent findings in optogenetic research employing the channelrhodopsin protein to assess the function of specific neurons and glia in spinal cord circuits ex vivo and in vivo. We also explore the possibilities and challenges of employing optogenetics technology in future therapeutic strategies for the treatment of spinal disorders.
Keywords: Optogenetics, channelrhodopsin, spinal cord, neurons, glia, pain, locomotion.
Current Protein & Peptide Science
Title:Optogenetics of the Spinal Cord: Use of Channelrhodopsin Proteins for Interrogation of Spinal Cord Circuits
Volume: 19 Issue: 7
Author(s): Md Habibur Rahman, Youngpyo Nam, Jae-Hong Kim, Won-Ha Lee and Kyoungho Suk*
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmacology, Brain Science & Engineering Institute, BK21 Plus KNU Biomedical Convergence Program, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu,Korea
Keywords: Optogenetics, channelrhodopsin, spinal cord, neurons, glia, pain, locomotion.
Abstract: Spinal cord circuits play a key role in receiving and transmitting somatosensory information from the body and the brain. They also contribute to the timing and coordination of complex patterns of movement. Under disease conditions, such as spinal cord injury and neuropathic pain, spinal cord circuits receive pain signals from peripheral nerves, and are involved in pain development via neurotransmitters and inflammatory mediators released from neurons and glial cells. Despite the importance of spinal cord circuits in sensory and motor functions, many questions remain regarding the relationship between activation of specific cells and behavioral responses. Optogenetics offers the possibility of understanding the complex cellular activity and mechanisms of spinal cord circuits, as well as having therapeutic potential for addressing spinal cord-related disorders. In this review, we discuss recent findings in optogenetic research employing the channelrhodopsin protein to assess the function of specific neurons and glia in spinal cord circuits ex vivo and in vivo. We also explore the possibilities and challenges of employing optogenetics technology in future therapeutic strategies for the treatment of spinal disorders.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Rahman Habibur Md, Nam Youngpyo , Kim Jae-Hong , Lee Won-Ha and Suk Kyoungho *, Optogenetics of the Spinal Cord: Use of Channelrhodopsin Proteins for Interrogation of Spinal Cord Circuits, Current Protein & Peptide Science 2018; 19 (7) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389203719666171229230012
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389203719666171229230012 |
Print ISSN 1389-2037 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5550 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advancements in Proteomic and Peptidomic Approaches in Cancer Immunotherapy: Unveiling the Immune Microenvironment
The scope of this thematic issue centers on the integration of proteomic and peptidomic technologies into the field of cancer immunotherapy, with a particular emphasis on exploring the tumor immune microenvironment. This issue aims to gather contributions that illustrate the application of these advanced methodologies in unveiling the complex interplay ...read more
Protein Folding, Aggregation and Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation
Protein folding, misfolding and aggregation remain one of the main problems of interdisciplinary science not only because many questions are still open, but also because they are important from the point of view of practical application. Protein aggregation and formation of fibrillar structures, for example, is a hallmark of a ...read more
Related Journals
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
A Comprehensive Review of Alzheimer’s Association with Related Proteins: Pathological Role and Therapeutic Significance
Current Neuropharmacology Heme Oxygenase-1 Dysregulation in the Brain: Implications for HIVAssociated Neurocognitive Disorders
Current HIV Research 5-HT3 Receptors: A Potential Therapeutic Target for Epilepsy
Current Neuropharmacology Ischemic Tolerance Induced by Normobaric Hyperoxia and Evaluation of Group I and II Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors
Current Neurovascular Research Anticancer Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) Signaling Pathway Inhibitors: Current Status, Challenges and Future Prospects in Management of Epilepsy
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Role of Neurotrophins in Neuropathic Pain
Current Neuropharmacology Targeting the Cholinergic System for Neuroprotection and/or Enhancement of Functional Recovery Following Neurotrauma
Current Pharmaceutical Design Rho-ROCK Inhibitors for the Treatment of CNS Injury
Recent Patents on CNS Drug Discovery (Discontinued) Mitophagy: A Novel Therapeutic Target for Treating DN
Current Medicinal Chemistry Metabolic Control of Type 2 Diabetes by Targeting the GLUT4 Glucose Transporter: Intervention Approaches
Current Pharmaceutical Design Peripheral and Central Glutamate Dyshomeostasis in Neurodegenerative Disorders
Current Neuropharmacology Recent Advances and Strategies in Tumor Vasculature Targeted Nano-Drug Delivery Systems
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Effects of Sevoflurane or Remifentanil on the Stress Response to Surgical Stimulus
Current Pharmaceutical Design Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Treatment with Ultramicronized Palmitoylethanolamide: A Case Report
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets A Review on Chitosan in Drug Delivery for Treatment of Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology The Stroke-Induced Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption: Current Progress of Inspection Technique, Mechanism, and Therapeutic Target
Current Neuropharmacology The Molecular Basis of Memantine Action in Alzheimers Disease and Other Neurologic Disorders: Low-affinity, Uncompetitive Antagonism
Current Alzheimer Research D-Serine Regulation: A Possible Therapeutic Approach for Central Nervous Diseases and Chronic Pain
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Antimicrobial Activities of <i>Satureja khuzestanica</i> Jamzad; A Review
Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets Pharmacoproteomics Applications for Drug Target Discovery in CNS Disorders
Current Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine