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Molecular markers of mechanosensation in glycinergic neurons in the avian lumbosacral spinal cord

View ORCID ProfileKathryn E. Stanchak, View ORCID ProfileKimberly E. Miller, View ORCID ProfileEric W. Lumsden, View ORCID ProfileDevany Shikiar, View ORCID ProfileCalvin Davis, View ORCID ProfileBingni W. Brunton, View ORCID ProfileDavid J. Perkel
doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.01.28.478253
Kathryn E. Stanchak
1Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle WA
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  • For correspondence: stanchak@uw.edu
Kimberly E. Miller
1Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle WA
2Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle WA
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Eric W. Lumsden
1Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle WA
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Devany Shikiar
2Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle WA
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Calvin Davis
3Biological Sciences Department, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA
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Bingni W. Brunton
1Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle WA
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David J. Perkel
1Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle WA
4Department of Otolaryngology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
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Abstract

Birds are exceptionally adept at controlling their body position. For example, they can coordinate rapid movements of their body while stabilizing their head. Intriguingly, this ability may rely in part on a mechanosensory organ in the avian lower spinal cord called the lumbosacral organ (LSO). However, molecular mechanotransduction mechanisms have not been identified in the avian spinal cord. Here, we report the presence of glycinergic neurons in the LSO that exhibit immunoreactivity for myosin7a and epsin, molecules essential for function and maintenance of hair cells in the inner ear. Specifically, we find glycinergic cell bodies near the central canal and processes that extend laterally to the accessory lobes and spinal ligaments. These LSO neurons are reminiscent of glycinergic neurons in a recently-described lateral spinal proprioceptive organ in zebrafish that detects spinal bending. The avian LSO, however, is located inside a series of fused vertebrae called the synsacrum, which constrains spinal bending. We suggest the LSO may be a modification and elaboration of a pre-existing mechanosensory spinal network in vertebrates. A mechanistic understanding of its function may be an important clue to understanding the evolution and development of avian locomotion.

Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

Copyright 
The copyright holder for this preprint is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made available under a CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.
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Posted January 28, 2022.
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Molecular markers of mechanosensation in glycinergic neurons in the avian lumbosacral spinal cord
Kathryn E. Stanchak, Kimberly E. Miller, Eric W. Lumsden, Devany Shikiar, Calvin Davis, Bingni W. Brunton, David J. Perkel
bioRxiv 2022.01.28.478253; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.01.28.478253
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Molecular markers of mechanosensation in glycinergic neurons in the avian lumbosacral spinal cord
Kathryn E. Stanchak, Kimberly E. Miller, Eric W. Lumsden, Devany Shikiar, Calvin Davis, Bingni W. Brunton, David J. Perkel
bioRxiv 2022.01.28.478253; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.01.28.478253

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