Name: paired nanoinjection and electrophysiology assay to screen for bioactivity of compounds using the drosophila melanogaster giant fiber system
Uploaded: 2012-04-15T14:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Paired Nanoinjection and Electrophysiology Assay to Screen for Bioactivity of Compounds using the Drosophila melanogaster Giant Fiber System at JoVE.com

We would like to acknowledge the members of the Mari lab and the Godenschwege lab, in particular Aline Yonezawa, for comments and help with this protocol. This work was funded by the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke grant R21NS06637 to F.M. and T.A.G.; A.B. was funded by the National Science Foundation award number 082925, URM: Integrative Biology for future researchers.

1. Electrophysiology Rig Set-up
<ol>
 <li> The required equipment for the electrophysiology rig set-up is described in detail by Augustin et al. in this Journal14. Please refer to this article for a detailed explanation of the electrophysiological apparatuses needed. </li>
 <li> Modify the previously described electrophysiology rig set-up14 by adding a sixth micromanipulator, which holds the nanoinjector. For easy access to the head of the animal it should be placed between the two s...

<ol>
	<li>Koehn, F. E., Carter, G. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+evolving+role+of+natural+products+in+drug+discovery.">The evolving role of natural products in drug discovery.</a> Nat. Rev. Drug Discov. 4, 206-220 (2005).</li><li>Miljanich, G. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ziconotide:+neuronal+calcium+channel+blocker+for+treating+severe+chronic+pain.">Ziconotide: neuronal calcium channel blocker for treating severe chronic pain.</a> Curr. Med. Chem. 11, 3029-3040 (2004).</li><li>Layer, R. T., Wagstaff, J. D., White, H. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Conantokins:+peptide+antagonists+of+NMDA+receptors.">Conantokins: peptide antagonists of NMDA receptors.</a> Curr. Med. Chem. 11, 3073-3084 (2004).</li><li>Lewis, R. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Conotoxins+as+selective+inhibitors+of+neuronal+ion+channels,+receptors+and+transporters.">Conotoxins as selective inhibitors of neuronal ion channels, receptors and transporters.</a> IUBMB Life. 56, 89-93 (2004).</li><li>Allen, M. J., Godenschwege, T. A., Tanouye, M. A., Phelan, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Making+an+escape:+development+and+function+of+the+Drosophila+giant+fibre+system.">Making an escape: development and function of the Drosophila giant fibre system.</a> Semin. Cell Dev. Biol. 17, 31-41 (2006).</li><li>Fayyazuddin, A., Zaheer, M. A., Hiesinger, P. R., Bellen, H. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+nicotinic+acetylcholine+receptor+Dalpha7+is+required+for+an+escape+behavior+in+Drosophila.">The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor Dalpha7 is required for an escape behavior in Drosophila.</a> PLoS biology. 4, e63 (2006).</li><li>Jan, L. Y., Jan, Y. N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=L-glutamate+as+an+excitatory+transmitter+at+the+Drosophila+larval+neuromuscular+junction.">L-glutamate as an excitatory transmitter at the Drosophila larval neuromuscular junction.</a> The Journal of physiology. 262, 215-236 (1976).</li><li>Usherwood, P. N., Machili, P., Leaf, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=L-Glutamate+at+insect+excitatory+nerve-muscle+synapses.">L-Glutamate at insect excitatory nerve-muscle synapses.</a> Nature. 219, 1169-1172 (1968).</li><li>Marrus, S. B., Portman, S. L., Allen, M. J., Moffat, K. G., DiAntonio, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Differential+localization+of+glutamate+receptor+subunits+at+the+Drosophila+neuromuscular+junction.">Differential localization of glutamate receptor subunits at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction.</a> The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience. 24, 1406-1415 (2004).</li><li>Petersen, S. A., Fetter, R. D., Noordermeer, J. N., Goodman, C. S., DiAntonio, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Genetic+analysis+of+glutamate+receptors+in+Drosophila+reveals+a+retrograde+signal+regulating+presynaptic+transmitter+release.">Genetic analysis of glutamate receptors in Drosophila reveals a retrograde signal regulating presynaptic transmitter release.</a> Neuron. 19, 1237-1248 (1997).</li><li>Qin, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Four+different+subunits+are+essential+for+expressing+the+synaptic+glutamate+receptor+at+neuromuscular+junctions+of+Drosophila.">Four different subunits are essential for expressing the synaptic glutamate receptor at neuromuscular junctions of Drosophila.</a> The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience. 25, 3209-3218 (2005).</li><li>Schuster, C. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Molecular+cloning+of+an+invertebrate+glutamate+receptor+subunit+expressed+in+Drosophila+muscle.">Molecular cloning of an invertebrate glutamate receptor subunit expressed in Drosophila muscle.</a> Science. 254, 112-114 (1991).</li><li>Tanouye, M. A., Wyman, R. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Motor+outputs+of+giant+nerve+fiber+in+Drosophila.">Motor outputs of giant nerve fiber in Drosophila.</a> Journal of. 44, 405-421 (1980).</li><li>Augustin, H., Allen, M. J., Partridge, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Electrophysiological+Recordings+from+the+Giant+Fiber+Pathway+of+D.+melanogaster.">Electrophysiological Recordings from the Giant Fiber Pathway of D. melanogaster.</a> J. Vis. Exp. (47), e2412 (2011).</li><li>Allen, M. J., Godenschwege, T., Zhang, B., Freeman, M. R., Waddell, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Drosophila Neurobiology. , 215-224 (2010).</li><li>Blagburn, J. M., Alexopoulos, H., Davies, J. A., Bacon, J. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Null+mutation+in+shaking-B+eliminates+electrical,+but+not+chemical,+synapses+in+the+Drosophila+giant+fiber+system:+a+structural+study.">Null mutation in shaking-B eliminates electrical, but not chemical, synapses in the Drosophila giant fiber system: a structural study.</a> J. Comp. Neurol. 404, 449-458 (1999).</li><li>Thomas, J. B., Wyman, R. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mutations+altering+synaptic+connectivity+between+identified+neurons+in+Drosophila.">Mutations altering synaptic connectivity between identified neurons in Drosophila.</a> J. Neurosci. 4, 530-538 (1984).</li><li>Baird, D. H., Schalet, A. P., Wyman, R. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+Passover+locus+in+Drosophila+melanogaster:+complex+complementation+and+different+effects+on+the+giant+fiber+neural+pathway.">The Passover locus in Drosophila melanogaster: complex complementation and different effects on the giant fiber neural pathway.</a> Genetics. 126, 1045-1059 (1990).</li><li>Gorczyca, M., Hall, J. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Identification+of+a+cholinergic+synapse+in+the+giant+fiber+pathway+of+Drosophila+using+conditional+mutations+of+acetylcholine+synthesis.">Identification of a cholinergic synapse in the giant fiber pathway of Drosophila using conditional mutations of acetylcholine synthesis.</a> J. Neurogenet. 1, 289-313 (1984).</li><li>Allen, M. J., Murphey, R. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+chemical+component+of+the+mixed+GF-TTMn+synapse+in+Drosophila+melanogaster+uses+acetylcholine+as+its+neurotransmitter.">The chemical component of the mixed GF-TTMn synapse in Drosophila melanogaster uses acetylcholine as its neurotransmitter.</a> The European journal of neuroscience. 26, 439-445 (2007).</li><li>Mejia, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+novel+approach+for+in+vivo+screening+of+toxins+using+the+Drosophila+Giant+Fiber+circuit.">A novel approach for in vivo screening of toxins using the Drosophila Giant Fiber circuit.</a> Toxicon. 56, 1398-1407 (2010).</li><li>Stork, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Organization+and+function+of+the+blood-brain+barrier+in+Drosophila.">Organization and function of the blood-brain barrier in Drosophila.</a> J. Neurosci. 28, 587-597 (2008).</li></ol>

The nanoinjection/electrophysiology bioassay presented here allows for a rapid screening of compounds in the nervous system of the fruit fly. This is a novel in vivo technique that requires small quantities of a compound to elicit an effect on a variety of molecular targets in a well-characterized neuronal circuit. This method can be used to test the bioactivity of different compounds, from unknown toxins to commercially available pharmacological agents. 
Here we demonstrated the func...

<table border="1">
<tbody>
 <tr>
 <td>Name 			of the reagent</td>
 <td>Company</td>
 <td>Catalogue 			number</td>
 <td>Comments</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Recording 			glass electrodes: borosilicate 			glass capillaries</td>
 <td>World 			Precision Instruments</td>
 <td>1B100F-4</td>
 <td>1.0mm OD, 			0.58mm ID</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Stimulator </td>
 <td>Grass 			Instruments</td>
 <td>Model S48</td>
 <td>&nbsp; </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Amplifier</td>
 <td>Getting 			Instruments Inc.</td>
 <td>Model 5A</td>
 <td>&nbsp; </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Data 			acquisition Software: Digidata</td>
 <td>Molecular 			Devices</td>
 <td>Model 1440A</td>
 <td>&nbsp; </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Data 			collection software: pCLAMP</td>
 <td>Molecular 			Devices</td>
 <td>Version 10</td>
 <td>&nbsp; </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Stereomicroscope 			with fiber optic microscope ring illuminator </td>
 <td>AmScope </td>
 <td>SM-4T 
Model 			HL250-AR </td>
 <td>&nbsp; </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Dissecting 			scope for mounting</td>
 <td>AmScope</td>
 <td>SM-2TZ</td>
 <td>&nbsp; </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Kite Manual 			Micromanipulator &amp; Tilting Base </td>
 <td>World 			Precision Instruments</td>
 <td>Model 			# M3301 
Kite: 			Model # KITE-M3-L </td>
 <td>&nbsp; </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Drosophila 			melanogaster Wild 10E genotype (wild type strain)</td>
 <td>Bloomington 			Stock center</td>
 <td>Stock # 3892 </td>
 <td>&nbsp; </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Vertical 			pipette puller</td>
 <td>David Kopf 			Instruments</td>
 <td>Model 700c</td>
 <td>&nbsp; </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Injection 			glass micropipettes: Borosilicate glass capillaries</td>
 <td>World 			Precision Instruments</td>
 <td>Catalogue # 			4878</td>
 <td>1.14mm OD, 			0.5mm ID</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Silicon 			oil </td>
 <td>Fisher</td>
 <td>Catalogue # 			S159-500 </td>
 <td>&nbsp; </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Beveler</td>
 <td>Sutter 			Instrument Co.</td>
 <td>K.T. 			Brown Type 
Model # BV-10</td>
 <td>&nbsp; </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Nanoliter2000</td>
 <td>World 			Precision Instruments</td>
 <td>Catalogue # 			B203XVY</td>
 <td>&nbsp; </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Blue food 			coloring</td>
 <td>McCormick</td>
 <td>N/A </td>
 <td>Ingredients: 			Water, Propylene Glycol, FD&amp;C Blue 1, and 0.1% Propylparaben 			(preservative).</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Methyllycaconitine 			citrate (MLA)</td>
 <td>Tocris 			Bioscience</td>
 <td>Catalogue # 			1029</td>
 <td>&nbsp; </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td> Plastic wax 			sticks</td>
 <td> Hygenic Corporation (Akron Ohio USA)</td>
 <td>&nbsp; </td>
 <td>&nbsp; </td>
 </tr>
 </tbody>
</table>

paired nanoinjection and electrophysiology assay to screen for bioactivity of compounds using the drosophila melanogaster giant fiber system

Screening compounds for in vivo activity can be used as a first step to identify candidates that may be developed into pharmacological agents1,2. We developed a novel nanoinjection/electrophysiology assay that allows the detection of bioactive modulatory effects of compounds on the function of a neuronal circuit that mediates the escape response in Drosophila melanogaster3,4. Our in vivo assay, which uses the Drosophila Giant Fiber System (GFS, Figure 1) allows screening of different types of compounds, such as small molecules or peptides, and requires only minimal quantities to elicit an effect. In addition, the Drosophila GFS offers a large variety of potential molecular targets on neurons or muscles. The Giant Fibers (GFs) synapse electrically (Gap Junctions) as well as chemically (cholinergic) onto a Peripheral Synapsing Interneuron (PSI) and the Tergo Trochanteral Muscle neuron (TTMn)5. The PSI to DLMn (Dorsal Longitudinal Muscle neuron) connection is dependent on D&alpha;7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs)6. Finally, the neuromuscular junctions (NMJ) of the TTMn and the DLMn with the jump (TTM) and flight muscles (DLM) are glutamatergic7-12. Here, we demonstrate how to inject nanoliter quantities of a compound, while obtaining electrophysiological intracellular recordings from the Giant Fiber System13 and how to monitor the effects of the compound on the function of this circuit. We show specificity of the assay with methyllycaconitine citrate (MLA), a nAChR antagonist, which disrupts the PSI to DLMn connection but not the GF to TTMn connection or the function of the NMJ at the jump or flight muscles.
Before beginning this video it is critical that you carefully watch and become familiar with the JoVE video titled "Electrophysiological Recordings from the Giant Fiber Pathway of D. melanogaster " from Augustin et al7, as the video presented here is intended as an expansion to this existing technique. Here we use the electrophysiological recordings method and focus in detail only on the addition of the paired nanoinjections and monitoring technique.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Paired Nanoinjection and Electrophysiology Assay to Screen for Bioactivity of Compounds using the Drosophila melanogaster Giant Fiber System at JoVE.com

Paired Nanoinjection and Electrophysiology Assay to Screen for Bioactivity of Compounds using the Drosophila melanogaster Giant Fiber System

A rapid in vivo assay to test for neuromodulatory compounds using the Giant Fiber System (GFS) of Drosophila melanogaster is described. Nanoinjections in the head of the animal along with electrophysiological recordings of the GFS can reveal bioactivity of compounds on neurons or muscles.

Paired Nanoinjection and Electrophysiology Assay to Screen for Bioactivity of Compounds using the Drosophila melanogaster Giant Fiber System

Screening compounds for in vivo activity can be used as a first step to identify candidates that may be developed into pharmacological agents1,2. We ...

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

Electrophysiological Recordings from the Giant Fiber Pathway of D. melanogaster

Electrophysiological Recordings from the Giant Fiber Pathway of D. melanogaster

When startled adult D. melanogaster react by jumping into the air and flying away. In many invertebrate species, including D. melanogaster, the "escape" ...

Whole Mount Preparation of the Adult Drosophila Ventral Nerve Cord for Giant Fiber Dye Injection

Whole Mount Preparation of the Adult Drosophila Ventral Nerve Cord for Giant Fiber Dye Injection

To analyze the axonal and dendritic morphology of neurons, it is essential to obtain accurate labeling of neuronal structures. Preparing well labeled ...

Labeling of Single Cells in the Central Nervous System of Drosophila melanogaster

Labeling of Single Cells in the Central Nervous System of Drosophila melanogaster

In this  article we describe how to individually label neurons in the embryonic CNS of Drosophila melanogaster by juxtacellular injection of the ...

Straightforward Assay for Quantification of Social Avoidance in Drosophila melanogaster

Straightforward Assay for Quantification of Social Avoidance in Drosophila melanogaster

Drosophila melanogaster is an emerging model to study different aspects of social interactions. For example, flies avoid areas previously occupied by ...

High-resolution Quantification of Odor-guided Behavior in Drosophila melanogaster Using the Flywalk Paradigm

High-resolution Quantification of Odor-guided Behavior in Drosophila melanogaster Using the Flywalk Paradigm

In their natural environment, insects such as the vinegar fly Drosophila melanogaster are bombarded with a huge amount of chemically distinct odorants. To ...

A Behavioral Assay for Mechanosensation of MARCM-based Clones in Drosophila melanogaster

A Behavioral Assay for Mechanosensation of MARCM-based Clones in Drosophila melanogaster

Because of the structural and functional homology to the hair cells of the mammalian inner ear, the neurons that innervate the Drosophila external sense ...

High Throughput Assay to Examine Egg-Laying Preferences of Individual Drosophila melanogaster

High Throughput Assay to Examine Egg-Laying Preferences of Individual Drosophila melanogaster

Recently, egg-laying preference of Drosophila has emerged as a genetically tractable model to study the neural basis of simple decision-making processes. ...

A Simple Way to Measure Alterations in Reward-seeking Behavior Using Drosophila melanogaster

A Simple Way to Measure Alterations in Reward-seeking Behavior Using Drosophila melanogaster

We describe a protocol for measuring ethanol self-administration in fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) as a proxy for changes in reward states. We ...

The CApillary FEeder Assay Measures Food Intake in Drosophila melanogaster

The CApillary FEeder Assay Measures Food Intake in Drosophila melanogaster

For most animals, feeding is an essential behavior for securing survival, and it influences development, locomotion, health and reproduction. Ingestion of ...

Analyzing Synaptic Modulation of Drosophila melanogaster Photoreceptors after Exposure to Prolonged Light

Analyzing Synaptic Modulation of Drosophila melanogaster Photoreceptors after Exposure to Prolonged Light

The nervous system has the remarkable ability to adapt and respond to various stimuli. This neural adjustment is largely achieved through plasticity at ...