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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2024.06.27.601104

An applicable and efficient retrograde monosynaptic circuit mapping tool for larval zebrafish

Chen, T.·Deng, Q.·Lin, K.·Zheng, X.·Wang, X.·Zhong, Y.·Ning, X.·Li, Y.·Xu, F.·Du, J.·Du, X.
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Abstract

The larval zebrafish is a vertebrate model for in vivo monitoring and manipulation of whole-brain neuronal activity. Tracing its neural circuits remains challenging. Here, we report an applicable methodology tailored for larval zebrafish to achieve efficient retrograde trans-monosynaptic tracing from genetically defined neurons via EnvA-pseudotyped glycoprotein-deleted rabies viruses. By combinatorially optimizing multiple factors involved, we identified the CVS strain trans-complemented with advanced expression of N2cG at 36 {degrees}C as the optimal combination. It yielded a tracing efficiency of up to 20 inputs per starter cell. Its low cytotoxicity enabled the viable labeling and calcium imaging of infected neurons 10 days post-infection, spanning larval ages commonly used for functional examination. Cre-dependent labeling was further developed to enable cell-type-specific input tracing and circuit reconstruction. We mapped cerebellar circuits and uncovered the ipsilateral preference and subtype specificity of granule cell-to-Purkinje cell connections. Our method offers an efficient way for tracing neural circuits in larval zebrafish.

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Chen, T., Deng, Q., Lin, K., Zheng, X., Wang, X., Zhong, Y., Ning, X., Li, Y., Xu, F., Du, J., Du, X.. 2024-07-02. An applicable and efficient retrograde monosynaptic circuit mapping tool for larval zebrafish. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.06.27.601104

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