No abstract

Within the basal ganglia circuit, the external globus pallidus (GPe) is critically involved in motor control. Aside from Foxp2+ neurons and ChAT+ neurons that have been established as unique neuron types, there is little consensus on the classification of GPe neurons. Properties of the remaining neuron types are poorly-defined. In this study, we leverage new mouse lines, viral tools, and molecular markers to better define GPe neuron subtypes. We found that Sox6 represents a novel, defining marker for GPe neuron subtypes. Lhx6+ neurons that lack the expression of Sox6 were devoid of both parvalbumin and Npas1. This result confirms previous assertions of the existence of a unique Lhx6+ population. Neurons that arise from the Dbx1+ lineage were similarly abundant in the GPe and displayed a heterogeneous makeup. Importantly, tracing experiments revealed that Npas1+-Nkx2.1+ neurons represent the principal non-cholinergic, cortically-projecting neurons. In other words, they form the pallido-cortical arm of the cortico-pallido-cortical loop. Our data further described that pyramidal-tract neurons in the cortex collateralized within the GPe, forming a closed-loop system between the two brain structures. Overall, our findings reconcile some of the discrepancies that arose from differences in techniques or the reliance on pre-existing tools. While spatial distribution and electrophysiological properties of GPe neurons reaffirm the diversification of GPe subtypes, statistical analyses strongly support the notion that these neuron subtypes can be categorized under the two principal neuron classes—i.e., PV+ neurons and Npas1+ neurons.Significance statementThe poor understanding of the neuronal composition in the GPe undermines our ability to interrogate its precise behavioral and disease involvements. In this study, twelve different genetic crosses were used, hundreds of neurons were electrophysiologically-characterized, and over 100,000 neurons were histologically- and/or anatomically-profiled. Our current study further establishes the segregation of GPe neuron classes and illustrates the complexity of GPe neurons in adult mice. Our results support the idea that Npas1+-Nkx2.1+ neurons are a distinct GPe neuron subclass. By providing a detailed analysis of the organization of the cortico-pallidal-cortical projection, our findings establish the cellular and circuit substrates that can be important for motor function and dysfunction.

Within the basal ganglia circuit, the external globus pallidus (GPe) is critically involved in motor control. Aside from Foxp2 ϩ neurons and ChAT ϩ neurons that have been established as unique neuron types, there is little consensus on the classification of GPe neurons. Properties of theremainingneurontypesarepoorlydefined.Inthisstudy,weleveragenewmouselines,viraltools,andmolecularmarkerstobetterdefineGPe neuron subtypes. We found that Sox6 represents a novel, defining marker for GPe neuron subtypes. Lhx6 ϩ neurons that lack the expression of Sox6 were devoid of both parvalbumin and Npas1. This result confirms previous assertions of the existence of a unique Lhx6 ϩ population. Neurons that arise from the Dbx1 ϩ lineage were similarly abundant in the GPe and displayed a heterogeneous makeup. Importantly, tracing experiments revealed that Npas1 ϩ-Nkx2.1 ϩ neurons represent the principal noncholinergic, cortically-projecting neurons. In other words, they form the pallido-cortical arm of the cortico-pallido-cortical loop. Our data further show that pyramidal-tract neurons in the cortex collateralized within the GPe, forming a closed-loop system between the two brain structures. Overall, our findings reconcile some of the discrepancies that arose from differences in techniques or the reliance on preexisting tools. Although spatial distribution and electrophysiological properties of GPe neurons reaffirm the diversification of GPe subtypes, statistical analyses strongly support the notion that these neuron subtypes can be categorized under the two principal neuron classes: PV ϩ neurons and Npas1 ϩ neurons.

Focusing on the O 2 class, a set of crude oils from Llanos Orientales Basin, Colombia, were classified in terms of biodegradation levels using negative ion mode electrospray Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) and chemometric analysis. The O 2 class, which is mainly composed of naphthenic carboxylic acids, was monitored because these polar crude oil constituents are known to be substantially affected by microbial activity. Principal component analysis (PCA) applied on the O 2 profile was able to classify the crude oils into three groups: biodegraded, mixture, and nonbiodegraded. From the relative abundances of the O 2 class, a clear trend on acid distribution could be directly correlated with biodegradation: a rising in abundance of saturated acids with low double-bond equivalent (DBE) values (despite the lowering observed for fatty acids with DBE = 1), expressed by the A/C index. The combined use of two indexes, the A/C index and a new index also based on saturated acid abundances, the SA index, is proposed as an effective strategy to monitor biodegradation. This approach showed to be particularly useful to fill blanks on discrete biodegradation classification and when samples are actually composed of a mixture of oils with contrasting biodegradation levels. Results are in good agreement with predictions based on classical hydrocarbon biomarker analysis.

The classic basal ganglia circuit model asserts a complete segregation of the two striatal output pathways. Empirical data argue that, in addition to indirect-pathway striatal projection neurons (iSPNs), direct-pathway striatal projection neurons (dSPNs) innervate the external globus pallidus (GPe). However, the functions of the latter were not known. In this study, we interrogated the organization principles of striatopallidal projections and their roles in full-body movement in mice (both males and females). In contrast to the canonical motor-promoting response of dSPNs in the dorsomedial striatum ( DMS dSPNs), optogenetic stimulation of dSPNs in the dorsolateral striatum ( DLS dSPNs) suppressed locomotion. Circuit analyses revealed that dSPNs selectively target Npas1 1 neurons in the GPe. In a chronic 6-hydroxydopamine lesion model of Parkinson's disease, the dSPN-Npas1 1 projection was dramatically strengthened. As DLS dSPN-Npas1 1 projection suppresses movement, the enhancement of this projection represents a circuit mechanism for the hypokinetic symptoms of Parkinson's disease that has not been previously considered. In sum, our results suggest that dSPN input to the GPe is a critical circuit component that is involved in the regulation of movement in both healthy and parkinsonian states.