McCullough, KennethChoi, DennisGuo, JidongZimmerman, KelseyWalton, JordanRainnie, Donald G.Ressler, Kerry2016-12-022016McCullough, Kenneth M., Dennis Choi, Jidong Guo, Kelsey Zimmerman, Jordan Walton, Donald G. Rainnie, and Kerry J. Ressler. 2016. “Molecular characterization of Thy1 expressing fear-inhibiting neurons within the basolateral amygdala.” Nature Communications 7 (1): 13149. doi:10.1038/ncomms13149. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncomms13149.2041-1723http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:29626064Molecular characterization of neuron populations, particularly those controlling threat responses, is essential for understanding the cellular basis of behaviour and identifying pharmacological agents acting selectively on fear-controlling circuitry. Here we demonstrate a comprehensive workflow for identification of pharmacologically tractable markers of behaviourally characterized cell populations. Thy1-eNpHR-, Thy1-Cre- and Thy1-eYFP-labelled neurons of the BLA consistently act as fear inhibiting or ‘Fear-Off' neurons during behaviour. We use cell-type-specific optogenetics and chemogenetics (DREADDs) to modulate activity in this population during behaviour to block or enhance fear extinction. Dissociated Thy1-eYFP neurons are isolated using FACS. RNA sequencing identifies genes strongly upregulated in RNA of this population, including Ntsr2, Dkk3, Rspo2 and Wnt7a. Pharmacological manipulation of neurotensin receptor 2 confirms behavioural effects observed in optogenetic and chemogenetic experiments. These experiments identify and validate Ntsr2-expressing neurons within the BLA, as a putative ‘Fear-Off' population.en-USJournal Article2016-12-0210.1038/ncomms13149