Luo Liqun, Callaway Edward M, Svoboda Karel
Department of Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
Neuron. 2008 Mar 13;57(5):634-60. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2008.01.002.
Understanding the principles of information processing in neural circuits requires systematic characterization of the participating cell types and their connections, and the ability to measure and perturb their activity. Genetic approaches promise to bring experimental access to complex neural systems, including genetic stalwarts such as the fly and mouse, but also to nongenetic systems such as primates. Together with anatomical and physiological methods, cell-type-specific expression of protein markers and sensors and transducers will be critical to construct circuit diagrams and to measure the activity of genetically defined neurons. Inactivation and activation of genetically defined cell types will establish causal relationships between activity in specific groups of neurons, circuit function, and animal behavior. Genetic analysis thus promises to reveal the logic of the neural circuits in complex brains that guide behaviors. Here we review progress in the genetic analysis of neural circuits and discuss directions for future research and development.
理解神经回路中的信息处理原理需要系统地表征参与其中的细胞类型及其连接方式，以及测量和扰动它们活动的能力。遗传学方法有望为研究复杂的神经系统提供实验途径，这些系统不仅包括果蝇和小鼠等遗传学研究的经典对象，还包括灵长类等非遗传学研究的系统。与解剖学和生理学方法一起，蛋白质标记物、传感器和换能器的细胞类型特异性表达对于构建电路图和测量基因定义的神经元的活动至关重要。基因定义的细胞类型的失活和激活将在特定神经元群的活动、回路功能和动物行为之间建立因果关系。因此，遗传学分析有望揭示复杂大脑中指导行为的神经回路的逻辑。在这里，我们回顾了神经回路遗传学分析的进展，并讨论了未来研究和发展的方向。
