Directed Stepwise Tracing of Polysynaptic Neuronal Circuits With Replication-deficient Pseudorabies Virus

Data for paper: Directed Stepwise Tracing of Polysynaptic Neuronal Circuits With Replication-deficient Pseudorabies Virus.

Brain functions are accomplished by polysynaptic circuits formed by neurons wired together through multiple orders of synaptic connections. Polysynaptic connectivity has been difficult to examine due to a lack of methods of continuously tracing the pathways in a controlled manner. Here we demonstrate directed, stepwise retrograde polysynaptic tracing by inducible reconstitution of replication-deficient transneuronal pseudorabies virus (PRV∆IE) in the brain. Furthermore, PRV∆IE replication can be temporally restricted to minimize its neurotoxicity.  With this tool, we delineate a wiring diagram between the hippocampus and striatum-- two major brain systems for learning, memory and navigation--which consist of projections from specific hippocampal domains to specific striatal areas via distinct intermediate brain regions. Therefore, this inducible PRV∆IE system provides a tool for dissecting polysynaptic circuits underlying complex brain functions.