Gbx2 Identifies Two Amacrine Cell Subtypes with Distinct Molecular, Morphological, and Physiological Properties

Gbx2 Identifies Two Amacrine Cell Subtypes with Distinct Molecular, Morphological, and Physiological Properties

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Summary: Our understanding of nervous system function is limited by our ability to identify and manipulate neuronal subtypes within intact circuits.We show that the Gbx2CreERT2-IRES-EGFP mouse line labels two amacrine cell (AC) Single Inlet 5 Way Water Valve subtypes in the mouse retina that have distinct morphological, physiological, and molecular properties.Using a combination of RNA-seq, genetic labeling, and patch clamp recordings, we show that one subtype is GABAergic that receives excitatory input from On bipolar cells.The other population is a non-GABAergic, non-glycinergic (nGnG) AC subtype that lacks the expression of standard neurotransmitter markers.Gbx2+ nGnG ACs have smaller, asymmetric dendritic arbors Hard drive cases and docks that receive excitatory input from both On and Off bipolar cells.

Gbx2+ nGnG ACs also exhibit spatially restricted tracer coupling to bipolar cells (BCs) through gap junctions.This study identifies a genetic tool for investigating the two distinct AC subtypes, and it provides a model for studying synaptic communication and visual circuit function.