Representative papers
2021
Direction selectivity in retinal bipolar cell axon terminals.
Matsumoto A, Agbariah W, Nolte SS, Andrawos R, Levi H, Sabbah S, Yonehara K (2021) Neuron, 109: 2928-2942.e8.
Using two-photon glutamate imaging, we found that visual motion is already computed at the axon terminals of bipolar cells in the retina. The 3D electron microscopy analysis was done in collaboration with Dr. Sabbah of Hebrew University.
Rapid multi-directed cholinergic transmission in the central nervous system. Sethuramanujam S§, Matsumoto A§, deRosenroll G, Murphy-Baum B, McIntosh JM, Jing M, Li Y, Berson D, Yonehara K*, Awatramani GB* (2021) Nat Commun 12: 1374. § equally contributed. *shared-corresponding authors.
Using two-photon acetylcholine imaging, we found that acetylcholine can transmit information regardless of the presence or absence of synaptic structures as long as 1-2 microns from the release site. The research was conducted in collaboration with Dr. Awatramani of the University of Victoria.
Binocular integration of retinal motion information underlies optic flow processing by the cortex.
Rasmussen NR*, Matsumoto A*, Arvin S, Yonehara K (2021)
Curr Biol 31: 1165-1174. *equally contributed.
In vivo two-photon calcium imaging showed that visual motion signals from both eyes are specifically combined in each area of the visual cortex to form translational and rotational optic flow responses.
2020
Contributions of Retinal Direction Selectivity to Central Visual Processing Rasmussen R, Yonehara K (2020) Curr Biol 30: PR897-R903. ［PDF］
Review Article. Summary of the contribution of retinal directional selectivity to information processing in visual centers such as the superior colliculus and visual cortex.
A segregated cortical stream for retinal direction selectivity. Rasmussen R*, Matsumoto A*, Dahlstrup Sietam M, Yonehara K (2020) Nat Commun 11: 831. *equally contributed ［PDF］
In vivo two-photon calcium imaging showed that direction-selective signals in the retina reach the second/third layer of the primary visual cortex directly via the lateral geniculate nucleus, and then are selectively sent to the Rostrolateral (RL) area of the higher visual cortex. This finding challenged a traditional view that cortical direction selectivity is computed within the cortex.
2019
Spatiotemporally Asymmetric Excitation Supports Mammalian Retinal Motion Sensitivity.
Matsumoto A, Briggman KL, Yonehara K (2019)
Curr Biol 29: 3277-3288. ［PDF］
We found a spatiotemporal coupling motif between ON-type direction-selective cells and their excitatory input cells, bipolar cells, in the retina, which are visual motion detectors in optokinetic nystagmus. The 3D electron microscopy analysis was done in collaboration with Dr. Brigman at the Bonn-Caesar Institute. This is the first memorable original work from Yonehara Laboratory, Aarhus University.
2016
Congenital Nystagmus Gene FRMD7 Is Necessary for Establishing a Neuronal Circuit Asymmetry for Direction Selectivity.
Yonehara K*, Fiscella M*, Drinnenberg A*, Esposti F, Trenholm S, Krol J, Franke F, Scherf BG, Kusnyerik A, Müller J, Szabo A, Jüttner J, Cordoba F, Reddy AP, Németh J, Nagy ZZ, Munier F, Hierlemann A, Roska B (2016)
Neuron 89: 177-193.*equally contributed. Best of Neuron 2016［PDF］
Congenital nystagmus, characterized by the absence of horizontal optokinetic reflexes, is a frequent visual disorder. We identified FRMD7 as a key molecule for asymmetric neural connections and showed that congenital nystagmus is caused by disruption of retinal directional selectivity. The paper was selected by Neuron as one of the best papers of 2016. Drs. Marla Feller and Josh Saines praised the work as the best contribution to the field.
2015
Single-cell-initiated monosynaptic tracing reveals layer-specific cortical network modules.
Wertz A*, Trenholm S*, Yonehara K, Hillier D, Raics Z, Leinweber M, Szalay G, Ghanem A, Keller G, Rózsa B, Conzelmann KK, Roska B (2015)
Science 349: 70-74. *equally contributed. ［PDF］
We developed a technique for transsynaptic labeling from single neurons in layer 2/3 of the visual cortex and identified layer-specific structures hidden in the orientation-selective circuit network. Yonehara contributed by creating (almost) all of the plasmids and viruses used in the experiments.
2013
The first stage of cardinal direction selectivity is localized to the dendrites of retinal ganglion cells.
Yonehara K*, Farrow K*, Ghanem A, Hillier D, Balint K, Teixeira M, Jüttner J, Noda M, Neve RL, Conzelmann KK, Roska B (2013)
Neuron79: 1078-1085.*equally contributed.［ PDF］
Combining trans-synaptic labeling with GCaMP-expressing rabies virus and two-photon calcium imaging, we have developed a method to record synaptic activity in a monosynaptic network in a single network. The rabies virus development was done in collaboration with Dr. Karl-Klaus Conzelmann at LMU Munich.
Motion detection: Neuronal circuit meets theory.
Yonehara K, Roska B (2013)
Cell 154:1188-1189. ［ PDF］
Preview paper. A brief summary of recent findings on the structure and function of visuomotor processing circuits in Drosophila.
2011
Spatially asymmetric reorganization of inhibition establishes a motion-sensitive circuit.
Yonehara K,Balint K, Noda M, Nagel G, Bamberg E, Roska B (2011)
Nature 469: 407-410. ［ PDF］
Asymmetric inhibitory connections from starburst cells to SPIG1-positive directionally selective cells develop in a visual experience-independent manner between 6 and 8 days of age, as revealed by developmental optogenetics circuit mapping and trans-synaptic labeling with genetically modified rabies virus. We used the then-current, highly sensitive ChR2 developed by Drs. Bamberg and Nagel.
2009
Identification of retinal ganglion cells and their projections involved in central transmission of information about upward and downward image motion.
Yonehara K, Ishikane H, Sakuta H, Shintani T, Nakamura-Yonehara K, Kamiji NL, Usui S, Noda M (2009)
PLoS One 4: e4320. ［PDF］
We found that the mosaic of ganglion cells labeled by SPIG1 are directionally selective cells with upward-motion selectivity. The electrophysiological recording was done by Dr. Hiroshi Ishikane et al.
2008
Expression of SPIG1 reveals development of a retinal ganglion cell subtype projecting to the medial terminal nucleus in the mouse.
Yonehara K, Shintani T, Suzuki R, Sakuta H, Takeuchi Y, Nakamura-Yonehara K, Noda M (2008)
PLoS One 3: e1533. ［ PDF］
This is the first demonstration of genetic labeling of a single type of retinal ganglion cell that projects to the accessory optic system using the SPIG1 promoter. This work clarified the structure and development of this cell type in detail. This work opened up a new field of cell-type biology of retinal ganglion cells. This was Yonehara’s dissertation.
National Institute of Genetics, Multiscale Sensory Structure Laboratory 