Fig. 2: Validation of the Tph2-iCre rat strain and DREADD function in DRN 5-HT neurons.
From: Role of serotonin neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus in heroin self-administration and punishment
A Colocalization of Cre (green) and Tph2-IR neurons (red) in tamoxifen-induced Tph2-iCre rats. B Cre-dependent DREADDs (mCherry+) expressed in Tph2-iCre rats but not wild-type littermates. C DREADD function verified with electrophysiology. C1 DREADD expression confirmed with mCherry labeling in a biocytin-filled recorded neuron (green). C2 In vitro activation of Gq DREADDs via bath-application of CNO (10 μM) depolarized an mCherry+ DRN neuron. C3 In vitro activation of Gi DREADDs hyperpolarized the membrane potential and inhibited neuronal activity in a mCherry+ DRN neuron.
