Life Sciences Commons^™

Atoh1-Dependent Rhombic Lip Neurons Are Required For Temporal Delay Between Independent Respiratory Oscillators In Embryonic Mice, Srinivasan Tupal, Guang-Yi Ling, Paul A. Gray, Maria Cristina D. Picardo, Christopher A. Del Negro

Arts & Sciences Articles

All motor behaviors require precise temporal coordination of different muscle groups. Breathing, for example, involves the sequential activation of numerous muscles hypothesized to be driven by a primary respiratory oscillator, the preBotzinger Complex, and at least one other as-yet unidentified rhythmogenic population. We tested the roles of Atoh1-, Phox2b-, and Dbx1-derived neurons (three groups that have known roles in respiration) in the generation and coordination of respiratory output in embryonic mice. We found that Dbx1-derived neurons are necessary for all respiratory behaviors, whereas independent but coupled respiratory rhythms persist from at least three different motor pools after eliminating or silencing …