Genetic Targeting of Green Fluorescent Protein to Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Neurons: Characterization of Whole-Cell Electrophysiological Properties and Morphology

K. J. Suter
2000 Endocrinology  
GnRH neurons form the final common pathway for central control of reproduction, with regulation achieved by changing the pattern of GnRH pulses. To help elucidate the neurobiological mechanisms underlying pulsatile GnRH release, we generated transgenic mice in which the green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter was genetically targeted to GnRH neurons. The expression of GFP allowed identification of 84 -94% of immunofluorescently-detected GnRH neurons. Conversely, over 99.5% of GFP-expressing
more » ... rons contained immunologically detectable GnRH peptide. In hypothalamic slices, GnRH neurons could be visualized with fluorescence, allowing for identification of individual GnRH neurons for patch-clamp recording and subsequent morphological analysis. Whole-cell current-clamp record-
doi:10.1210/en.141.1.412 pmid:10614664 fatcat:n544peaafbbgtp3usrvjhq3jeu