ABSTRACT
Chemoreceptors that detect O2 and CO2/pH regulate ventilation. However, recent work shows that lactate ions activate arterial chemoreceptors independent of pH to stimulate breathing. Although lactate rises in the central nervous system (CNS) during metabolic challenges, the ability of lactate ions to enhance ventilation by directly targeting the central respiratory network remains unclear. To address this possibility, we isolated the amphibian brainstem–spinal cord and found that small increases in CNS lactate stimulate motor output that causes breathing. In addition, lactate potentiated the excitatory postsynaptic strength of respiratory motor neurons, thereby coupling central lactate to the excitatory drive of neurons that trigger muscle contraction. Lactate did not affect motor output through pH or pyruvate metabolism, arguing for sensitivity to lactate anions per se. In sum, these results introduce a mechanism whereby lactate ions in the CNS match respiratory motor output to metabolic demands.
Footnotes
Competing interests
The authors declare no competing or financial interests.
Author contributions
Conceptualization: J.M.S.; Formal analysis: J.M.S.; Investigation: M.T.B., J.M.S.; Data curation: M.T.B., J.M.S.; Writing - original draft: J.M.S.; Writing - review & editing: J.M.S.; Visualization: J.M.S.; Supervision: J.M.S.; Project administration: J.M.S.; Funding acquisition: J.M.S.
Funding
This work was funded in part by a grant from the National Institutes of Health (R15NS112920), as well as laboratory startup funds from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro to J.M.S. Deposited in PMC for release after 12 months.
Supplementary information
Supplementary information available online at https://jeb.biologists.org/lookup/doi/10.1242/jeb.235705.supplemental
- Received August 15, 2020.
- Accepted November 3, 2020.
- © 2020. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd
Log in using your username and password
Log in through your institution
Pay Per Article - You may access this article (from the computer you are currently using) for 1 day for US$30.00 .
Regain Access - You can regain access to a recent Pay per Article purchase if your access period has not yet expired.
Article navigation
Related articles
Cited by...
More in this TOC section
Similar articles
Other journals from The Company of Biologists
Meet the Editors at SICB Virtual 2021
Reserve your place to join some of the journal editors, including Editor-in-Chief Craig Franklin, at our Meet the Editor session on 17 February at 2pm (EST). Don’t forget to view our SICB Subject Collection, featuring relevant JEB papers relating to some of the symposia sessions.
2020 at The Company of Biologists
Despite 2020's challenges, we were able to bring a number of long-term projects and new ventures to fruition. As we enter a new year, join us as we reflect on the triumphs of the last 12 months.
Critical temperature window sends migratory black-headed buntings on their travels
The spring rise in temperature at black-headed bunting overwintering sites is essential for triggering the physical changes that they undergo before embarking on their spring migration – read more.
Developmental and reproductive physiology of small mammals at high altitude
Cayleih Robertson and Kathryn Wilsterman focus on high-altitude populations of the North American deer mouse in their review of the challenges and evolutionary innovations of pregnant and nursing small mammals at high altitude.
Read & Publish participation extends worldwide
“Being able to publish Open Access articles free of charge means that my article gets maximum exposure and has maximum impact, and that all my peers can read it regardless of the agreements that their universities have with publishers.”
Professor Roi Holzman (Tel Aviv University) shares his experience of publishing Open Access as part of our growing Read & Publish initiative. We now have over 60 institutions in 12 countries taking part – find out more and view our full list of participating institutions.