image: Microscope image shows astrocyte diversity in the mouse cerebral cortex. Astrocytes are brain cells that interact intimately with neurons and their circuits to maintain proper conditions for nervous system function. Neurons release a protein called Sonic hedgehog (Shh) to determine the molecular and physiological properties of astrocytes throughout the brain. In the image, the Shh signaling pathway has been activated in a subset of astrocytes (red). These cells produce high levels of Kir4.1 (green), a potassium channel needed to maintain proper potassium levels and neuron activity. This material relates to a paper that appeared in the Feb. 19 2016, issue of Science, published by AAAS. The paper, by W.T. Farmer at Montreal General Hospital in Montreal, QC, Canada, and colleagues was titled, "Neurons diversify astrocytes in the adult brain through sonic hedgehog signaling." view more
Credit: Todd Farmer, McGill University Health Centre