A medullary centre for lapping in mice

Bowen Dempsey, Selvee Sungeelee, Phillip Bokiniec, Zoubida Chettouh, Séverine Diem, Sandra Autran, Evan R. Harrell, James F. A. Poulet, Carmen Birchmeier, Harry Carey, Auguste Genovesio, Simon McMullan, Christo Goridis, Gilles Fortin and Jean-François Brunet ()
Additional contact information
Bowen Dempsey: PSL Research University
Selvee Sungeelee: PSL Research University
Phillip Bokiniec: Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), and Neuroscience Research Center, Charité-Universitätsmedizin
Zoubida Chettouh: PSL Research University
Séverine Diem: Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut des Neurosciences NeuroPSI
Sandra Autran: Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut des Neurosciences NeuroPSI
Evan R. Harrell: Institut Pasteur, INSERM, Institut de l’Audition
James F. A. Poulet: Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), and Neuroscience Research Center, Charité-Universitätsmedizin
Carmen Birchmeier: Charité-Universitätsmedizin
Harry Carey: Macquarie University
Auguste Genovesio: PSL Research University
Simon McMullan: Macquarie University
Christo Goridis: PSL Research University
Gilles Fortin: PSL Research University
Jean-François Brunet: PSL Research University

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract It has long been known that orofacial movements for feeding can be triggered, coordinated, and often rhythmically organized at the level of the brainstem, without input from higher centers. We uncover two nuclei that can organize the movements for ingesting fluids in mice. These neuronal groups, IRtPhox2b and Peri5Atoh1, are marked by expression of the pan-autonomic homeobox gene Phox2b and are located, respectively, in the intermediate reticular formation of the medulla and around the motor nucleus of the trigeminal nerve. They are premotor to all jaw-opening and tongue muscles. Stimulation of either, in awake animals, opens the jaw, while IRtPhox2b alone also protracts the tongue. Moreover, stationary stimulation of IRtPhox2b entrains a rhythmic alternation of tongue protraction and retraction, synchronized with jaw opening and closing, that mimics lapping. Finally, fiber photometric recordings show that IRtPhox2b is active during volitional lapping. Our study identifies one of the subcortical nuclei underpinning a stereotyped feeding behavior.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26275-y

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