Cone bipolar cell synapses generate transient versus sustained signals in parallel ON pathways of the mouse retina
Data files
Dec 19, 2025 version files 1.52 MB
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Figure1_data.mat
99.29 KB
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Figure2_data.mat
282.79 KB
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Figure3_5_9_EM_data.xlsx
20.64 KB
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Figure4_data.mat
399.56 KB
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Figure5_data.mat
282.76 KB
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Figure8_data.mat
430.70 KB
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README.md
3.57 KB
Abstract
Parallel processing is a fundamental organizing principle in the nervous system and understanding how parallel neural circuits generate distinct outputs from common inputs is a key goal of neuroscience. In the mammalian retina, divergence of cone signals into multiple feedforward bipolar cell pathways forms the initial basis for parallel retinal circuits dedicated to specific visual functions. Here, we used patch-clamp electrophysiology, electron microscopy and two photon imaging of a fluorescent glutamate sensor to examine how kinetically-distinct responses arise in transient versus sustained ON alpha RGCs (ON-T and ON-S RGCs) of the mouse retina. We directly compared the visual response properties of these RGCs with their presynaptic bipolar cell partners, which we identified using 3D electron microscopy reconstruction. Different ON bipolar cell subtypes (type 5i, type 6 and type 7) had indistinguishable light-driven responses whereas extracellular glutamate signals around RGC dendrites and postsynaptic excitatory currents measured in ON-T and ON-S RGCs in response to the identical stimuli used to probe bipolar cells were kinetically distinct. Anatomical examination of the bipolar cell axon terminals presynaptic to ON-T and ON-S RGCs suggests that bipolar subtype-specific differences in the size of synaptic ribbon-associated vesicle pools may contribute to transient versus sustained kinetics. Our findings indicate that feedforward bipolar cell synapses are a primary point of divergence in kinetically distinct visual pathways.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.47d7wm3tz
Description of the data and file structure
These files contain source data as described in the associated preprint. Details of data collection and analysis can be found in the paper.
Files and variables
File: Figure1_data.mat
Description: Matlab file containing a single Matlab structure with source data for Figures 1D and E.
Variables:
- Matlab structure containing spike triggered averages for On sustained and On transient cells (Figure 1D) and collected data on the zero crossing times and biphasic indices for the spike triggered averages as plotted in Figure 1E. These are indicated by appropriate fields in the Matlab structure. For example, ONtransientSTA_Y contains the STA for the On transient cells, and STA_timeAx the corresponding time axis.
File: Figure2_data.mat
Description: Matlab file containing a single Matlab structure with source data for Figures 2B-E.
Variables
- Matlab structure containing spike triggered averages (Figure 2B), step responses (Figure 2D) and parameters extracted from these and plotted in Figures 2C and E. These are indicated by appropriate fields in the Matlab structure.
File: Figure3_5_9_EM_data.xlsx
Description: Excel spreadsheet containing source data for the EM analysis in Figures 3, 5, and 9.
Variables
- Tab 1 (Fig. 3E): Each row shows a count of the number of synaptic contacts onto the RGC identified on the first column. The other columns specify the bipolar cell making the contact - with bipolar types indicated in the top row. This is the data plotted in Figure 3E.
- Tab 2 (Fig. 5B): Proportion of ribbon inputs to each RGC specified in the first two columns that show feedback inhibition. This is the data plotted in Figure 5B.
- Tab 3 (Fig 9B): Ribbon volume (column 2, nm^3) for each of the bipolar cells specified in column 1. This is the data plotted in Figure 9B.
- Tab 4 (Fig. 9D): Ribbon volume (column 2, nm^3) for each synapse made onto the RGCs specified in column 1. The bipolar type making the synapse is identified in column 3. This is the data plotted in Figure 9D.
- Tab 5 (Fig. 9F): Ribbon volume (column 2, nm^3) and count of nearby vesicles for synapses made by the bipolar cell types specified in column 1. This is the data plotted in Figure 9F.
File: Figure4_data.mat
Description: Matlab file containing a single Matlab structure with source data for Figures 4C-F.
Variables
- Matlab structure containing linear filters (Figure 4C), step responses (Figure 4E) and parameters extracted from these and plotted in Figures 4D and F. These are indicated by appropriate fields in the Matlab structure.
File: Figure5_data.mat
Description: Matlab file containing a single Matlab structure with source data for Figures 5C-F.
Variables
- Matlab structure containing step responses (Figure 5C and E), and parameters extracted from these and plotted in Figures 5D and F. These are indicated by appropriate fields in the Matlab structure.
File: Figure8_data.mat
Description: Matlab file containing a single Matlab structure with source data for Figures 8.
Variables
- Matlab structure containing original traces in Figure 8A and extracted parameters plotted in Figure 8B. These are indicated by appropriate fields in the Matlab structure.