We recently determined that the excitatory manipulation of Qrfp-expressing neurons in the preoptic area of the hypothalamus (quiescence-inducing neurons [Q neurons]) induced a hibernation-like hypothermic/hypometabolic state (QIH) in mice. To control the QIH with a higher time resolution, we develop an optogenetic method using modified human opsin4 (OPN4; also known as melanopsin), a G protein-coupled-receptor-type blue-light photoreceptor. C-terminally truncated OPN4 (OPN4dC) stably and reproducibly induces QIH for at least 24 h by illumination with low-power light (3 μW, 473 nm laser) with high temporal resolution. The high sensitivity of OPN4dC allows us to transcranially stimulate Q neurons with blue-light-emitting diodes and non-invasively induce the QIH. OPN4dC-mediated QIH recapitulates the kinetics of the physiological changes observed in natural hibernation, revealing that Q neurons concurrently contribute to thermoregulation and cardiovascular function. This optogenetic method may facilitate identification of the neural mechanisms underlying long-term dormancy states such as sleep, daily torpor, and hibernation.
Pubmed ID: 36452866 RIS Download
Publication data is provided by the National Library of Medicine ® and PubMed ®. Data is retrieved from PubMed ® on a weekly schedule. For terms and conditions see the National Library of Medicine Terms and Conditions.
Mus musculus with name C57BL/6J from IMSR.
View all literature mentionsMus musculus with name B6;129S-Calb1tm2.1(cre)Hze/J from IMSR.
View all literature mentionsCell line HEK293T is a Transformed cell line with a species of origin Homo sapiens (Human)
View all literature mentionsCell line NIH 3T3 is a Spontaneously immortalized cell line with a species of origin Mus musculus
View all literature mentionsMus musculus with name C57BL/6J from IMSR.
View all literature mentionsCell line HEK293T is a Transformed cell line with a species of origin Homo sapiens (Human)
View all literature mentionsMus musculus with name B6.129S4-Gt(ROSA)26Sortm1(CAG-EGFP/Rpl10a.-birA)Wtp/J from IMSR.
View all literature mentionsThis polyclonal targets GFAP
View all literature mentionsThis polyclonal targets FOS
View all literature mentions