The cation channel mechanisms of subthreshold inward depolarizing currents in the mice VTA dopaminergic neurons and their roles in the chronic-stress-induced depression-like behavior

  1. Jing Wang
  2. Min Su
  3. Dongmei Zhang
  4. Ludi Zhang
  5. Chenxu Niu
  6. Chaoyi Li
  7. Shuangzhu You
  8. Yuqi Sang
  9. Yongxue Zhang
  10. Xiaona Du
  11. Hailin Zhang  Is a corresponding author
  1. Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, China
  2. Department of Chinese Medicinal Chemistry, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, China
  3. The Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology, Ministry of Education, Hebei Medical University, China
  4. The Key Laboratory of New Drug Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hebei Medical University, China
  5. Yiling Pharmaceutical Company, China
  6. Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Xingtai Ninth Hospital, China
  7. College of Chemical Engineering, Shijiazhuang University, China
  8. Shijiazhuang Key Laboratory of Targeted Drugs Research and Efficacy Evaluation, China
  9. Department of Pharmacy, Handan First Hospital, China
  10. Department of Psychiatry, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Mental Health Institute of Hebei Medical University, China
8 figures and 1 additional file

Figures

The effects of extracellular Ca2+ and Na+ on the firing activity of the male and female ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopaminergic (DA) neurons.

(A) Identification of the VTA DA neurons. (i) Confocal images showing the anatomical distribution of DA neurons in the VTA and SNc; the DA neurons were identified to be dopamine transporter …

Figure 1—source data 1

Confocal image for the anatomical distribution of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and SNc for Figure 1Ai.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig1-data1-v1.pdf
Figure 1—source data 2

Data and PDF file containing original gels for Figure 1Aii, indicating the relevant bands and groups.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig1-data2-v1.zip
Figure 1—source data 3

Original files for gels of single-cell PCR are displayed in Figure 1Aii.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig1-data3-v1.zip
Figure 1—source data 4

Data of the effect of extracellular Ca2+ on the firing frequency of the VTA DA neurons for Figure 1B.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig1-data4-v1.xlsx
Figure 1—source data 5

Data of the effect of extracellular Ca2+ on the resting membrane potential (RMP) of the ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (VTA DA) neurons for Figure 1C.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig1-data5-v1.xlsx
Figure 1—source data 6

Data of the effect of Na+ in resting membrane potential (RMP) of the ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (VTA DA) neurons for Figure 1D.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig1-data6-v1.xlsx
Figure 2 with 4 supplements
Gene expression profile of non-selective cation channels (NSCCs) in the male ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (VTA DA) neurons.

Single-cell RNA-seq was performed on the VTA neurons projecting to five different brain regions of male mice (NAc c, NAc ms, NAc ls, BLA, mPFC). (A). Gene expression profile of markers for neuron …

Figure 2—figure supplement 1
The targeted regions for ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (VTA DA) projection.

(A and B) Injection sites (red colored) in sagittal (A) and coronal plane (B) of mouse brain with DAPI (405 nm)-counterstained sections (80 μm) showing locations of retrobeads (546 nm, yellow). From …

Figure 2—figure supplement 2
The subregions of projection-specific ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (VTA DA) neurons.

(A) Confocal images showing the anatomical distribution of retrobeads (red) in the VTA after dopamine transporter (DAT)-immunofluorescence (green) staining at different magnifications (i, 20x; ii, …

Figure 2—figure supplement 3
Blocking HCN channels does not affect the spontaneous firing of the ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (VTA DA) neurons in adult male mice.

(A and B) Effects of HCN channel inhibitors CsCl (A) and ZD7288 (B) on the sag membrane potential of adult male VTA DA neurons. The sag membrane potential was recorded using the whole-cell …

Figure 2—figure supplement 3—source data 1

Data of the effects of CsCl on the sag membrane potential of ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (VTA DA) neurons for Figure 2—figure supplement 3A.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig2-figsupp3-data1-v1.xlsx
Figure 2—figure supplement 3—source data 2

Data of the effects of ZD7288 on the sag membrane potential of ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (VTA DA) neurons for Figure 2-figure supplement 3B.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig2-figsupp3-data2-v1.xlsx
Figure 2—figure supplement 3—source data 3

Data of the effects of CsCl on the excitability of ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (VTA DA) neurons for Figure 2—figure supplement 3C.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig2-figsupp3-data3-v1.xlsx
Figure 2—figure supplement 3—source data 4

Data of the effects of ZD7288 on the excitability of ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (VTA DA) neurons for Figure 2—figure supplement 3D.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig2-figsupp3-data4-v1.xlsx
Figure 2—figure supplement 4
HCN channel blocker does not affect the spontaneous firing of the adult male ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (VTA DA) neurons projecting to NAc lateral shell but blocks the spontaneous firing of the VTA DA neurons bathed in a low extracellular K+ which hyperpolarized the resting membrane potential.

(A and B) Effects of HCN channel inhibitors (CsCl A, ZD7288 B) on the spontaneous firing activity of the VTA DA neurons projecting to NAc lateral shell. The spontaneous firing of VTA DA neurons was …

Figure 2—figure supplement 4—source data 1

Data of the effects of CsCl on the excitability of ventral tegmental area (VTA) NAc ls-projecting dopaminergic (DA) neurons for Figure 2—figure supplement 4A.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig2-figsupp4-data1-v1.xlsx
Figure 2—figure supplement 4—source data 2

Data of the effects of ZD7288 on the excitability of VTA NAc ls-projecting dopaminergic (DA) neurons for Figure 2—figure supplement 4B.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig2-figsupp4-data2-v1.xlsx
Figure 2—figure supplement 4—source data 3

Data of the effect of low extracellular K+ on the resting membrane potential (RMP) of ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (VTA DA) neurons for Figure 2—figure supplement 4C.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig2-figsupp4-data3-v1.xlsx
Figure 2—figure supplement 4—source data 4

Data of the effect of ZD7288 on the excitability of ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (VTA DA) neurons in low [K+]e condition for Figure 2—figure supplement 4D.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig2-figsupp4-data4-v1.xlsx
Figure 2—figure supplement 4—source data 5

Data of the effects of ZD7288 on the excitability of juvenile male ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (VTA DA) neurons for Figure 2—figure supplement 4E.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig2-figsupp4-data5-v1.xlsx
NALCN contributes to subthreshold depolarization and spontaneous firing of the ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (VTA DA) neurons.

(A) Confocal images showing co-expression of NALCN (green) and DAT (red) representing DA neurons (scale bar, 10 µm). (B) (i) Single-cell PCR from the VTA DA neurons (C1–C5) with the expression of Nal…

Figure 3—source data 1

PDF file containing confocal images for Figure 3A and H.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig3-data1-v1.pdf
Figure 3—source data 2

PDF file containing original gels of single-cell PCR for Figure 3Bi, indicating the relevant bands and groups.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig3-data2-v1.zip
Figure 3—source data 3

Original files for gels of single-cell PCR are displayed in Figure 3Bi.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig3-data3-v1.zip
Figure 3—source data 4

Data on the effect of GdCl3 on the resting membrane potential (RMP) of ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (VTA DA) neurons is displayed in Figure 3C.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig3-data4-v1.xlsx
Figure 3—source data 5

Data on the effect of GdCl3 on the firing frequency of ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (VTA DA) neurons is displayed in Figure 3D.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig3-data5-v1.xlsx
Figure 3—source data 6

Data on the effect of L703,606 on the resting membrane potential (RMP) of ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (VTA DA) neurons is displayed in Figure 3E.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig3-data6-v1.xlsx
Figure 3—source data 7

Data on the effect of L703,606 on the firing frequency of ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (VTA DA) neurons is displayed in Figure 3F.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig3-data7-v1.xlsx
Figure 3—source data 8

Data of the expression level of Nalcn RNA in the shRNA-Nalcn transfected ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the scramble shRNA transfected VTA for Figure 3G.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig3-data8-v1.xlsx
Figure 3—source data 9

Data of excitability of ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (VTA DA) neurons transfected with either Nalcn-shRNA or scramble-shRNA for Figure 3I.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig3-data9-v1.xlsx
Figure 3—source data 10

Data of resting membrane potential (RMP) of ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (VTA DA) neurons transfected with either Nalcn-shRNA or scramble-shRNA for Figure 3J.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig3-data10-v1.xlsx
Figure 4 with 1 supplement
Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels especially TRPC6 contribute to subthreshold depolarization and spontaneous firing of the ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (VTA DA) neurons.

(A) The expression of TRP channels in VTA DA neurons. (i) Single-cell PCR from 5 VTA cells (C1–C5). (ii) Percentage of TRP channels (Trpc3, Trpc6 and Trpv2) positive neurons in the VTA DA neurons (Sl…

Figure 4—source data 1

Data and a PDF file containing original gels of single-cell PCR for Figure 4A, indicating the relevant bands and groups.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig4-data1-v1.zip
Figure 4—source data 2

Original files for gels of single-cell PCR are displayed in Figure 4A.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig4-data2-v1.zip
Figure 4—source data 3

Data on the effect of 2-APB on the firing frequency of ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (VTA DA) neurons are displayed in Figure 4B.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig4-data3-v1.xlsx
Figure 4—source data 4

Data on the effect of LA on the firing frequency of ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (VTA DA) neurons are displayed in Figure 4C.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig4-data4-v1.xlsx
Figure 4—source data 5

Data on the effect of 2-APB on the resting membrane potential (RMP) of ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (VTA DA) neurons are displayed in Figure 4D.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig4-data5-v1.xlsx
Figure 4—source data 6

Data on the effect of LA on the resting membrane potential (RMP) of ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (VTA DA) neurons are displayed in Figure 4E.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig4-data6-v1.xlsx
Figure 4—figure supplement 1
Effects of TRPV channel blocker ruthenium red (RR) on the spontaneous firing of the male ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (VTA DA) neurons.

(A) The inset on the top of i shows a map of a coronal midbrain slice indicating the location of neurons that were recorded and subsequently identified as DA neurons which were Slc6a3 positive with …

Figure 4—figure supplement 1—source data 1

Data of the effects of ruthenium red (RR) on the spontaneous firing of the male ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (VTA DA) neurons.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig4-figsupp1-data1-v1.xlsx
Figure 5 with 1 supplement
TRPC6 contributes to subthreshold depolarization and spontaneous firing of the ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (VTA DA) neurons.

(A) The normalized expression profile of Trpc6 in NAc c- and mPFC-projecting VTA DA neurons was verified using single cell-qPCR (NAc c: n=28, N=7; mPFC: n=25, N=8, both Th positive), Mann-Whitney U …

Figure 5—source data 1

Data of the expression profile of Trpc6 in NAc c- and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC)-projecting ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (VTA DA) neurons by single cell-qPCR is displayed in the Figure 5A.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig5-data1-v1.xlsx
Figure 5—source data 2

PDF file containing confocal images for Figure 5B and D.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig5-data2-v1.pdf
Figure 5—source data 3

Data of the expression level of Trpc6 RNA in the shRNA-Trpc6 transfected ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the scramble shRNA transfected VTA for Figure 5C.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig5-data3-v1.xlsx
Figure 5—source data 4

Data of excitability of ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (VTA DA) neurons transfected with either Trpc6-shRNA or scramble-shRNA for Figure 5E.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig5-data4-v1.xlsx
Figure 5—source data 5

Data of the effect of shRNA knockdown of Trpc6 on the 2-APB-inhibited firing responses of the ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (VTA DA) neurons for Figure 5F.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig5-data5-v1.xlsx
Figure 5—source data 6

Data of the effect of shRNA knockdown of Trpc6 on the RMP of the ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (VTA DA) neurons for Figure 5G.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig5-data6-v1.xlsx
Figure 5—source data 7

Data of the effect of shRNA knockdown of Trpc6 on the LA-inhibited firing responses of the ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (VTA DA) neurons for Figure 5H.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig5-data7-v1.xlsx
Figure 5—figure supplement 1
The expression of Trpc4 and Trpc7 channels in male ventral tegmental area (VTA) Trpc6+ dopaminergic (DA) neurons.

(A) Single-cell PCR from 7 VTA Trpc6+Slc6a3+ cells (C1–C7) and control. (B) (i) and (ii) Percentage of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels (Trpc4 and Trpc7) positive neurons in the VTA Trpc6+

Figure 5—figure supplement 1—source data 1

Data and a PDF file containing original gels for Figure 5—figure supplement 1, indicating the relevant bands and groups.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig5-figsupp1-data1-v1.zip
Figure 5—figure supplement 1—source data 2

Original files for gels of single-cell PCR are displayed in Figure 5—figure supplement 1.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig5-figsupp1-data2-v1.zip
Figure 6 with 4 supplements
Chronic mild unpredictable stress (CMUS) depression mice have a decreased firing activity and down-regulated TRPC6 expression in the ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (VTA DA) neurons.

(A) Experimental procedure timeline. (B) (i) Sucrose preference test for CMUS male mice (Con: N=10; CMUS: N=10). Two-sample t-test, t=3.569, df=18, 95% CI: –20.73 to –5.369, ** p=0.0022, compared …

Figure 6—source data 1

Data of the behavior test for chronic mild unpredictable stress (CMUS) male mice in Figure 6B.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig6-data1-v1.xlsx
Figure 6—source data 2

Data of excitability of ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (VTA DA) neurons from the chronic mild unpredictable stress (CMUS) and the control mice for Figure 6C.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig6-data2-v1.xlsx
Figure 6—source data 3

Data and a PDF file containing original western blots for Figure 6D, indicating the relevant bands and groups.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig6-data3-v1.zip
Figure 6—source data 4

Original files for western blot analysis are displayed in Figure 6D.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig6-data4-v1.zip
Figure 6—source data 5

Data of the effect of 2-APB on the firing frequency of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC)-projecting ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (VTA DA) neurons between Con and chronic mild unpredictable stress (CMUS) for Figure 6E.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig6-data5-v1.xlsx
Figure 6—source data 6

Data of the effect of LA on the firing frequency of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC)-projecting ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (VTA DA) neurons between Con and chronic mild unpredictable stress (CMUS) for Figure 6F.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig6-data6-v1.xlsx
Figure 6—figure supplement 1
Body weight and behavior of the male mice subjected to chronic mild unexpected stress (CMUS).

(A) Changes in body weight of the CMUS mice from week 2–6 (Con: N=10; CMUS: N=10), Two-sample t-test, t=6.284, df=18, 95% CI: –3.002 to –1.498, ****p<0.0001, compared with the control mice. (B) The …

Figure 6—figure supplement 1—source data 1

Data of body weight and behavior tests of the male mice between chronic mild unpredictable stress (CMUS) and Con.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig6-figsupp1-data1-v1.xlsx
Figure 6—figure supplement 2
Body weight and behaviors of the female mice subjected to chronic mild unexpected stress (CMUS).

(A) The change in body weight of the CMUS female mice (Con: N=10; CMUS: N=10), Two-sample t-test, t=4.191, df=18, 95% CI: –1.802 to –0.5984, ***p=0.0005, compared with control mice. (B) Sucrose …

Figure 6—figure supplement 2—source data 1

Data of body weight and behavior tests of the female mice between chronic mild unpredictable stress (CMUS) and Con.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig6-figsupp2-data1-v1.xlsx
Figure 6—figure supplement 3
Expression of NALCN protein in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of the chronic mild unpredictable stress (CMUS) male mice.

(A and B) Western blot was used to measure the protein level of NALCN in the CMUS mice and control mice. Representative western blot assay showing the expression of NALCN and GAPDH in the VTA of the …

Figure 6—figure supplement 3—source data 1

Data and a PDF file containing original western blots for Figure 6—figure supplement 3, indicating the relevant bands and groups.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig6-figsupp3-data1-v1.zip
Figure 6—figure supplement 3—source data 2

Original files for western blot analysis are displayed in Figure 6—figure supplement 3.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig6-figsupp3-data2-v1.zip
Figure 6—figure supplement 4
Body weight and behaviors of the male mice subjected to chronic restraint stress (CRS).

(A) Experimental procedure timeline for CRS. (B) The change in body weight of the CRS mice (Con: N=10; CRS: N=10), Two-sample t-test, t=5.481, df = 18, 95% CI: –2.144 to –0.9559, ****p<0.0001, …

Figure 6—figure supplement 4—source data 1

Data of body weight and behavior tests of the male mice between CRS and Con for Figure 6—figure supplement 4B-I.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig6-figsupp4-data1-v1.xlsx
Figure 6—figure supplement 4—source data 2

Data and a PDF file containing original western blots for Figure 6—figure supplement 4J, indicating the relevant bands and groups.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig6-figsupp4-data2-v1.zip
Figure 6—figure supplement 4—source data 3

Original files for western blot analysis are displayed in Figure 6—figure supplement 4J.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig6-figsupp4-data3-v1.zip
Selective knockdown of TRPC6 in the ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (VTA DA) neurons confers the male mice with depression-like and anxiety-like behaviors which are reversed by overexpression of TRPC6.

(A) shRNA against Trpc6 carried by AAV-DIO virus was injected into the VTA of the Slc6a3-Cre male mice. (B) The mRNA level in the shRNA-Trpc6 transfected VTA (TRPC6-cKD) and the scramble shRNA …

Figure 7—source data 1

Data of the relative mRNA level of Trpc6 in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) between TRPC6-cKD and Con for the Figure 7B.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig7-data1-v1.xlsx
Figure 7—source data 2

PDF file containing confocal images for Figure 7C and G.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig7-data2-v1.pdf
Figure 7—source data 3

Data of behavior tests between TRPC6-cKD and Con for Figure 7D.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig7-data3-v1.xlsx
Figure 7—source data 4

Data and a PDF file containing original western blots for Figure 7F, indicating the relevant bands and groups.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig7-data4-v1.zip
Figure 7—source data 5

Original files for western blot analysis are displayed in Figure 7F.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig7-data5-v1.zip
Figure 7—source data 6

Data of the effects of TRPC6 over-expression on depression-like behaviors of TRPC6-cKD mice in Figure 7H.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig7-data6-v1.xlsx
Selective knockdown of TRPC6 in the mPFC-projecting ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (VTA DA) neurons produces depression-like and anxiety-like behaviors.

(A) shRNA against Trpc6 carried by the retro-AAV-DIO vector was injected into the mPFC of the Slc6a3-Cre male mice. (B) The mRNA level in the shRNA-Trpc6 transfected mPFC-projecting VTA (TRPC6-rcKD) …

Figure 8—source data 1

Data of the relative mRNA level of Trpc6 in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) mPFC-projecting dopaminergic (DA) neurons between TRPC6-rcKD and Con for the Figure 8B.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig8-data1-v1.xlsx
Figure 8—source data 2

PDF file containing confocal images for Figure 8C.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig8-data2-v1.pdf
Figure 8—source data 3

Data of behavior tests for Figure 8D.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/88319/elife-88319-fig8-data3-v1.xlsx

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