Rhythm control of lymnaea respiratory CPG neurons

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Rhythmic activities of respiration are controlled by neuronal networks of the specific nerve cells named central pattern generators (CPG). Specificity of synaptic connections between the CPG neurons is critical for generating and maintaining respiratory rhythmic activities. However, how the rhythmic activity of respiratory CPG neurons is generated and regulated remains unknown, due largely to the complexity of mammalian respiratory neuronal networks. Lymnaea stagnalis, a fresh-water pond snail, offers a simple biological system in which the rhythmic activity of the lung breathing is controlled by three CPG neurons. We recently established a soma-soma synapse model which allows us to study the respiratory rhythmic activity in culture dish. We also developed a chronic hypoxia snail model which exhibits adaptive facilitation of respiratory activity in whole animal. Thus, the snail becomes a unique model to study how respiratory rhythm is generated and regulated at the multiple levels. Using the snail as a model, we propose to investigate the role of specific genes/proteins in regulating properties of the CPG neurons. We will also study the hypoxia-induced stress factors involved in rhythmic regulation of respiratory networks, using innovative experimental approaches including electrophysiological, molecular biological and optical imaging techniques. We anticipate that these studies will provide novel insights into the generation and control of respiratory activities from the molecular level to animal behavior in a single system. The information gained from this research will ultimately advance our understanding of not only respiratory physiology, but also potential treatment of respiratory disorders.