Recombinase-driver rat lines: tools, techniques, and optogenetic application to dopamine-mediated reinforcement.

TitleRecombinase-driver rat lines: tools, techniques, and optogenetic application to dopamine-mediated reinforcement.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2011
AuthorsWitten IB, Steinberg EE, Lee SYeun, Davidson TJ, Zalocusky KA, Brodsky M, Yizhar O, Cho SL, Gong S, Ramakrishnan C, Stuber GD, Tye KM, Janak PH, Deisseroth K
JournalNeuron
Volume72
Issue5
Pagination721-33
Date Published2011 Dec 08
ISSN1097-4199
KeywordsAction Potentials, Animals, Choline O-Acetyltransferase, Conditioning, Operant, Dopamine, Gene Expression Regulation, In Vitro Techniques, Integrases, Male, Neurons, Opsins, Optics and Photonics, Rats, Rats, Transgenic, Reinforcement (Psychology), Reinforcement Schedule, Self Stimulation, Transduction, Genetic, Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase, Ventral Tegmental Area
Abstract

Currently there is no general approach for achieving specific optogenetic control of genetically defined cell types in rats, which provide a powerful experimental system for numerous established neurophysiological and behavioral paradigms. To overcome this challenge we have generated genetically restricted recombinase-driver rat lines suitable for driving gene expression in specific cell types, expressing Cre recombinase under the control of large genomic regulatory regions (200-300 kb). Multiple tyrosine hydroxylase (Th)::Cre and choline acetyltransferase (Chat)::Cre lines were produced that exhibited specific opsin expression in targeted cell types. We additionally developed methods for utilizing optogenetic tools in freely moving rats and leveraged these technologies to clarify the causal relationship between dopamine (DA) neuron firing and positive reinforcement, observing that optical stimulation of DA neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of Th::Cre rats is sufficient to support vigorous intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS). These studies complement existing targeting approaches by extending the generalizability of optogenetics to traditionally non-genetically-tractable but vital animal models.

DOI10.1016/j.neuron.2011.10.028
Alternate JournalNeuron
PubMed ID22153370
PubMed Central IDPMC3282061
Grant ListDP1 OD000616 / OD / NIH HHS / United States
DP2 DA035149 / DA / NIDA NIH HHS / United States
R01 DA015096 / DA / NIDA NIH HHS / United States
R01 DA020794-08 / DA / NIDA NIH HHS / United States
R01 MH075957 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
F32 MH880102 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
DP1 OD000616-05 / OD / NIH HHS / United States
/ / Howard Hughes Medical Institute / United States
R01 MH075957-05 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
DP2 DK102256 / DK / NIDDK NIH HHS / United States
P50 AA017072 / AA / NIAAA NIH HHS / United States
R01 DA020794 / DA / NIDA NIH HHS / United States