This work was supported by NIH P20GM103643 to I. Meng.

1. Preparazione di larve <ol><li> Per analizzare una larva desiderato per la locomozione o la preferenza di posizione, crescere le larve in condizioni standard per l&#39;età desiderata per saggiare 10 utilizzando fly cibo standard 11. </li><li> Fare un filtro a rete da stretching grado nylon serigrafica maglia su un imbuto. Fissare la rete al collo a imbuto con l&#39;elastico. Inserire l&#39;imbuto in un becher. </li><li> Per raccogliere larve per l&#39;analisi, paletta una spatola-pieno di cibo contenente foraggiamento larve dalla bottiglia coltura e lavare con acqua di rubinetto RT il filtro a rete, raccogliendo larve individuale direttamente dalla rete con un pennello 10. </li></ol> 2. Preparazione di Assay Tubes <ol><li> Per preparare per tappare le provette, bollire con attenzione un gel di agar 4% e versare in una capsula di Petri a una profondità di 1,5 cm. Ciò fornirà una spina per entrambi i lati del tubo quando animale è racchiuso. La soluzione al 4% è sufficientemente densa per evitare larve da penetrating i tappi. </li><li> Assicurarsi che i tubi siano puliti e chiari prima dell&#39;inserimento di larva. Se non lo sono, ciò può bloccare i movimenti vengano registrati. </li><li> Per garantire larve ha umidità sufficiente per il movimento, preparare una spruzzetta contenente una piccola quantità di acqua calda. Capovolgere la bottiglia, orientare attentamente presa verso un lavandino e spremere delicatamente per espellere l&#39;acqua dal tubo di prelievo. </li><li> Inserire la presa della bottiglia nella provetta. Comprimere il flacone per fornire vapore acqueo nella provetta fino a visualizzare un sottile strato di condensa sulla parete del tubo. Video 1 mostra una larva muove in un tubo con una quantità appropriata di umidità. </li><li> Per sigillare la larva nel tubo, rimuovere il gel di agar dello spessore di 1,5 cm dalla capsula di Petri e posizionare su una superficie mesh per permettere il flusso d&#39;aria sotto l&#39;agar in modo che una spina agar può essere inserito nel tubo. Premere un&#39;estremità del tubo dosaggio nel gel due volte per inserire due tappi di gel in una delle estremità. </li><li> Con un paintbcorrere, mettere una larva nel tubo di circa 1,5 pollici di profondità e sigillare il tubo premendo l&#39;estremità più vicina la larva nel gel di agar. La pressione risultante costringerà il secondo tappo di gel di agar dall&#39;estremità opposta e sigillare l&#39;animale all&#39;interno del tubo. </li><li> Porre le provette nello dispositivo MB5 Multi-Beam Drosophila Activity Monitor (DAM) e regolare la posizione delle valvole in modo che gli animali non possono andare oltre il campo dei sensori. </li><li> Per garantire che assay tubi non scivolare fuori infrarossi quadro di lettura del dispositivo durante il trasporto, tenere il tubo in posizione da un anello di fissaggio mastice intorno ogni tubo nel punto di contatto del dispositivo di registrazione. </li></ol> 3. Misurazione Attività <ol><li> L&#39;attività di registrazione in un incubatore per evitare letture errate che possono verificarsi a causa di ombre, luci fluorescenti o alle variazioni di temperatura in laboratorio. Vedere Figura 5 per una disposizione suggerita del sistema. </li><li> Impostare un incubatore a 20 ° C (vedi Figura 1). Per evitare falsi registrazioni dovuta a interferenze da fonti luminose ad incandescenza durante la registrazione, spegnere le luci fluorescenti e incubatori utilizzare una sorgente luminosa a LED separato durante la registrazione in incubatrice. Eseguire una prova senza animali per garantire che le condizioni di luce non aberrante innescare sensori. Non ci dovrebbero essere i dati di movimento registrati dopo questa prova. </li><li> Lasciare che le larve si adatti alle impostazioni di incubazione 20 ° C per 5 minuti prima dell&#39;inizio della dosaggio. </li><li> Per impostare il sistema DAM a intervalli di registrazione desiderata (ad esempio, 1 min), garantire software di registrazione di sistema DAM viene scaricato sul computer host 12 e aprire il file di sistema DAM prima di collegare il camera di registrazione all&#39;interfaccia psiu. </li><li> Per impostare la frequenza di registrazione desiderata in cui verranno salvati i dati, selezionare le preferenze e quindi fare clic sopra o sotto l&#39;opzione intervallo di lettura per selezionare differenti frazioni di tempo in cui i dativerrà memorizzato. Ad esempio, selezionare la lettura tempi di intervallo da 1 sec a 1 ora. </li><li> Per selezionare il parametro che varia per la registrazione dei dati, scegliere le preferenze e quindi selezionare le caselle corrispondenti sotto tipo di dati in uscita (conti, movimenti, posizioni e dimorare, vedi Tabella 1). Ciascun parametro fornisce un&#39;analisi unica dell&#39;attività larvale all&#39;interno del tubo. </li><li> Per iniziare la registrazione, collegare il monitor al Modulo di interfaccia di alimentazione (psiu) tramite cavo telefonico CAB6. Collegare il psiu ad una presa di corrente. Una luce verde indicherà connessione appropriata. </li><li> Collegare il psiu tramite un cavo Universal Serial Bus (USB) per un Macintosh o PC Windows per la registrazione dei dati. Aprire il programma DAM SystemMB1v6x sul computer per avviare automaticamente la registrazione dei dati. </li><li> Dopo il tempo di raccolta desiderato è completo, selezionare Esci e quindi chiudere ora sullo schermo l&#39;attività DAM; dati verrà salvato automaticamente sotto DAM dati di sistema. Prendete questo file di dati (ad esempio, monitorare 1) e trascinate<html> in una cartella separata. Ciò memorizzare i dati grezzi dal software DAM in modo che possano essere successivamente elaborati. </li></ol> 4. Preparazione dei dati per l&#39;elaborazione (DAM FileScan) <ol><li> Per elaborare i dati grezzi in un formato comprensibile aprire l&#39;applicazione DAM FileScan selezionare Seleziona cartella dei dati di ingresso. Quindi scegliere la cartella di dati e il file desiderato, e selezionare l&#39;opzione di scansione. Infine selezionare la lunghezza bin per il periodo di lettura desiderata. Ciò organizzare i dati grezzi in parametri impostati dall&#39;operatore ed il programma riporterà i dati raccolti in quel particolare intervallo. </li><li> Selezionare il tipo di dati di uscita per analizzare il movimento impostazione desiderata (conteggi del monitor, si muove, dimorano). Nel menu letture supplementari, somma selezionare in bin (questo è se la lunghezza bidone è maggiore dell&#39;intervallo di lettura sistema selezionato). </li><li> Nome del file in modo appropriato e salvare. Il file verrà memorizzato nella stessa posizione come la cartella dal punto 3.9. </li></ol>_title &quot;&gt; 5. Accesso ai dati per l&#39;analisi <ol><li> Al fine di raccogliere mosse media, elaborare i dati grezzi generati dal punto 4. Per generare una tabella in un foglio di calcolo, aprire il file che è stato salvato in precedenza (punto 4.3), e quando appare la finestra di importazione guidata testo, selezionare finitura per aprire i file di dati in formato foglio di calcolo. Nota: A seconda del tipo di dati analizzati, il foglio di calcolo verrà letto in modo diverso. In genere per misurare monitorare movimenti o conteggi, il periodo di tempo di studio sarà registrato numericamente, mentre ogni tubo lettura individuale riceverà una lettera designata. Quando si visualizzano i dati nel foglio di calcolo, le colonne KZ rappresentano gli slot per provette 1-16 rispettivamente. Le righe rappresentano i punti di dati raccolti. </li><li> Ad esempio, se sono stati raccolti muove per 20 min a intervalli di 1 minuto, la media dei 20 righe per calcolare un numero medio di mosse / minuto e altre misurazioni. </li></ol>

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D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Human+disease+models+in+Drosophila.+melanogaster.and+the+role+of+the+fly+in+therapeutic+drug+discovery.">Human disease models in Drosophila. melanogaster.and the role of the fly in therapeutic drug discovery.</a> Pharmacol. Rev. 63 (2), 411-436 (2011).</li><li>Cattaert, D., Birman, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Blockade+of+the+central+generator+of+locomotor+rhythm+by+noncompetitive+NMDA+receptor+antagonists+in+Drosophila.larvae.">Blockade of the central generator of locomotor rhythm by noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonists in Drosophila.larvae.</a> J. Neurobiol. 48 (1), 58-73 (2001).</li><li>Caldwell, J. C., Miller, M. M., Wing, S., Soll, D. R., Eberl, D. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Dynamic+analysis+of+larval+locomotion+in+Drosophila.+hordotonal+organ+mutants.">Dynamic analysis of larval locomotion in Drosophila. hordotonal organ mutants.</a> PNAS. 100 (26), 16053-16058 (2003).</li><li>Nichols, C. D., Bechnel, J., Pandey, U. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Methods+to+assay+Drosophila+behavior.">Methods to assay Drosophila behavior.</a> J. Vis. Exp. (61), (2012).</li><li>Godoy-Herrera, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+development+and+genetics+of+digging+behavior+in+Drosophila.+arvae.">The development and genetics of digging behavior in Drosophila. arvae.</a> Heredity. 56, 33-41 (1986).</li><li>Sinadinos, C., Cowan, C. M., Wyttenbach, A., Mudher, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Increased+throughput+assays+of+locomotor+dysfunction+in+Drosophila.+larvae.">Increased throughput assays of locomotor dysfunction in Drosophila. larvae.</a> Journal of Neuroscience Methods. 203 (2), 325-334 (2012).</li><li>Homyk, T., Sheppard, D. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Behavioral+mutants+of+Drosophila+melanogaster.+I.+Isolation+and+mapping+of+mutations+which+decrease+flight+ability.">Behavioral mutants of Drosophila melanogaster. I. Isolation and mapping of mutations which decrease flight ability.</a> Genetics. 87 (1), 95-104 (1977).</li><li>Chattopadhyay, A., Gilstrap, A. V., Galko, M. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Local+and+global+methods+of+assessing+thermal+nociception+in+Drosophila.+larvae.">Local and global methods of assessing thermal nociception in Drosophila. larvae.</a> J. Vis. Exp. (63), e3837 (2012).</li><li>Model Organisms I: yeast, Drosophila and C. elegans. Science Education Database Available from: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.jove.com/science-education-database/3/essentials-of-biology-1-yeast-drosophila-and-c-elegans">https://www.jove.com/science-education-database/3/essentials-of-biology-1-yeast-drosophila-and-c-elegans</a> (2015)</li><li>Woods, J. K., Kowalski, S., Rogina, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Determination+of+the+spontaneous+locomotor+activity+in+Drosophila+melanogaster.">Determination of the spontaneous locomotor activity in Drosophila melanogaster.</a> J. Vis. Exp. (86), e51449 (2014).</li><li>Troncoso, B., Godoy-Herrera, R., Waldo, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+development+of+larval+movement+patterns+in+Drosophila).">The development of larval movement patterns in Drosophila).</a> Heredity. 58 (1), 321-329 (1987).</li><li>Helfrich, C., Engelmann, W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Circadian+rhythm+of+the+locomotor+activity+in+Drosophila.+melanogaster.and+its+mutants+&#8216;sine+oculis&#8217;+and+&#8216;small+optic+lobes.">Circadian rhythm of the locomotor activity in Drosophila. melanogaster.and its mutants &#8216;sine oculis&#8217; and &#8216;small optic lobes.</a> Physiological Entomology. 8 (3), 257-272 (1983).</li><li>Johnson, A. W., Carder, W. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Drosophila,+ociceptors+mediate+larval+aversion+to+dry+surface+environments+utilizing+both+the+painless+TRP+channel+and+the+DEG/ENaC+subunit,+PPK1.">Drosophila, ociceptors mediate larval aversion to dry surface environments utilizing both the painless TRP channel and the DEG/ENaC subunit, PPK1.</a> PLoS ONE. 7 (3), (2012).</li></ol>

The authors declare that they have no competing financial interests.

Attività di larve di Drosophila è influenzata da una varietà di fattori, tra genotipo 8, 13 anni e la temperatura ambiente 2. Sebbene potenti metodi videografici capaci di analisi molto dettagliate sono state sviluppate da parte di coloro che studiano locomozione 5, questo livello di dettaglio può essere superfluo per coloro che desiderano per determinare i parametri di base di attività. Il metodo qui descritto si avvale di un dispositivo che è disponibile in molti laborat...

The use of Drosophila as a genetic tool has transformed scientific knowledge of biological systems. Drosophila larvae have been used in a variety of studies including nociception1, development2 and as a model for the study of human disease genes3. Drosophila activity encompasses a range of behaviors that vary under different conditions including temperatures2, exposure to drugs4 and amongst different genotypes. Yet, despite the significant use of the larva as a model organism, a simple, standardized method to analyze larval activity has not been available. Presently, many larval locomotion studies employ sophisticated video analysis software5. While powerful, the complexity of such automated tools may discourage labs that are not already equipped to study locomotion from including analysis of informative activity parameters in their studies. In other current non-automated methods, such as the grid crawling analysis, motion is scored by a human observer, which introduces the possibility of subjectivity and limits throughput to one animal at a time6-7. A similar study used a 5-lane crawling assay, which measured the time it took larvae to travel a certain linear distance8. In such non-automated assays, displacement is measured but this does not account for non-linear travel between the start and end points. As discussed below, the method described here accounts for more of the actual larval movement, is objective, easy to operate, and offers robust throughput.
To easily study larval activity behavior without the compromise of accuracy, efficiency, or cost, this method employs the TriKinetics Drosophila Activity Monitor (DAM), a device often used to study adult activity. Using one device to study both adult and larval activity is cost-effective, and allows direct comparison of motion by animals at these two life stages. The system, featuring the manufacturer&#8217;s highest level of resolution, makes use of 17 infrared detection beams per assay tube, which record larval activity when sensor beams are broken within the 16 individual tubes. The system then automatically saves recorded information to a computer, making it available for manipulation with basic graphing software. The data obtained represents the beams that were broken by individual larvae (which can be converted into a rate), movement when a larva stays within a detector beam and the position of the animals within the assay chambers during a recording period (allowing one to calculate position preference). The system is efficient and relatively simple to operate, and brings highly reproducible basic activity analysis within the reach of any laboratory studying Drosophila larvae.
To demonstrate the power of this assay, data are presented that show its use to verify differences in activity resulting from varying ambient temperatures, as well as through the comparison of a mutant previously described as hypoactive (iav1)9 with a widely analyzed control (w1118).

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Drosophila Activity Monitor, Multibeam, 16 tubes, including wires</td>
			<td>TriKinetics Inc.&#160;</td>
			<td>MB5</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Power Supply Interface for Activity Monitor&#160;</td>
			<td>TriKinetics Inc.&#160;</td>
			<td>PSIU24</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glass 80 x 5 mm tubes for Activity Monitor (100)</td>
			<td>TriKinetics Inc.&#160;</td>
			<td>PGT 5x80</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DAMsystemMB1v6x Data Acquisitions Software for Macintonsh OSX (Intel)</td>
			<td><a href="http://www.trikinetics.com/">www.trikinetics.com</a></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>free download</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DAMFileScan 108x software for Macintosh</td>
			<td><a href="http://www.trikinetics.com/">www.trikinetics.com</a></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>free download</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>USB software (PSIUdrivers.zip).</td>
			<td><a href="http://www.trikinetics.com/">www.trikinetics.com</a></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>free download</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DAMSystem Notes 308</td>
			<td><a href="http://www.trikinetics.com/">www.trikinetics.com</a></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>free download</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Zeiss Stemi 2000C- Stereo Microscope</td>
			<td>Spectra Services</td>
			<td>SP-STEMI2000C-BS</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Carbon Dioxide</td>
			<td>Maine Oxy</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>anaesthesia</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fly Pad</td>
			<td>Genesee</td>
			<td>59-114</td>
			<td>surface for sorting anaesthetized flies</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Small paint brush&#160;</td>
			<td>Winsor &#38; Newton</td>
			<td>#2 ROUND</td>
			<td>or similar, used for sorting anaesthetized flies</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Silk Screen Printing Mesh (160)</td>
			<td>msj-gallery.com</td>
			<td>SM160W63-3YD</td>
			<td>pore sized used in this protocol was ~ 0.1 mm</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tegosept</td>
			<td>Genesee</td>
			<td>20-258</td>
			<td>preservative</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ethanol (190proof)</td>
			<td>Pharmco</td>
			<td>111000190</td>
			<td>used to dissolve Tegosept</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>6 oz Square Bottom Bottle (PP)</td>
			<td>Genesee</td>
			<td>32-130</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>&#34;Flugs&#34; for Plastic Fly bottles</td>
			<td>Genesee</td>
			<td>49-100</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Drosophila Vials, Wide (PS)</td>
			<td>Genesee</td>
			<td>32-117</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Flugs for wide plastic vials</td>
			<td>Genesee</td>
			<td>49-101</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Yellow Degerminated Corn Meal</td>
			<td>Gold Medal</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Drosophila agar</td>
			<td>LabScientific</td>
			<td>FLY 8020</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Baker&#39;s Yeast - Red Star</td>
			<td>King Arthur Flour</td>
			<td>1270</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Granulated Sugar - Extra Fine</td>
			<td>Domino</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

measurement of larval activity in the drosophila activity monitor

Drosophila larvae are used in many behavioral studies, yet a simple device for measuring basic parameters of larval activity has not been available. This protocol repurposes an instrument often used to measure adult activity, the TriKinetics Drosophila activity monitor (MB5 Multi-Beam Activity Monitor) to study larval activity. The instrument can monitor the movements of animals in 16 individual 8 cm glass assay tubes, using 17 infrared detection beams per tube. Logging software automatically saves data to a computer, recording parameters such as number of moves, times sensors were triggered, and animals&#8217; positions within the tubes. The data can then be analyzed to represent overall locomotion and/or position preference as well as other measurements. All data are easily accessible and compatible with basic graphing and data manipulation software. This protocol will discuss how to use the apparatus, how to operate the software and how to run a larval activity assay from start to finish.

La Figura 1 mostra i risultati di uno studio di risposta di temperature di controllo larve al terzo stadio, w 1118, utilizzando il dispositivo di monitoraggio per rilevare le differenze di locomozione larvale a sette diverse temperature. Le larve sono state lavate e collocato nel dispositivo dell&#39;attività DAM come sopra descritto, e collocato in un incubatore alla temperatura desiderata. L&#39;apparecchio è stato poi consentito di acclimatarsi all&#39;ambiente per 5 minuti prima dell&#3...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Measurement of Larval Activity in the Drosophila Activity Monitor at JoVE.com

Measurement of Larval Activity in the Drosophila Activity Monitor

This report describes a method for measuring Drosophila larval activity using the TriKinetics Drosophila Activity Monitor. The device employs infrared beams to detect movements of up to 16 individual animals. Data can be analyzed to represent motion parameters including rates and the positions of the animals within the assay chambers.

Misura della larvali attività nel<em&gt; Drosophila</em&gt; Activity Monitor

Drosophila larvae are used in many behavioral studies, yet a simple device for measuring basic parameters of larval activity has not been available. This ...

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Biology

Measurement of Larval Activity in the Drosophila Activity Monitor

9.3K Views.  University of New England. This report describes a method for measuring Drosophila larval activity using the TriKinetics Drosophila Activity Monitor. The device employs infrared beams to detect movements of up to 16 individual animals. Data can be analyzed to represent motion parameters including rates and the positions of the animals within the assay chambers.

Video: Measurement of Larval Activity in the Drosophila Activity Monitor

Dissection of Larval CNS in Drosophila Melanogaster

The central nervous system (CNS) of Drosophila larvae is complex and poorly understood.  One way to investigate the CNS is to use immunohistochemistry to examine the expression of various novel and marker proteins.  Staining of whole larvae is impractical because the tough cuticle prevents antibodies from penetrating inside the body cavity.  In order to stain these tissues it is necessary to dissect the animal prior to fixing and staining.  In this article we demonstrate how to dissect Drosophila larvae without damaging the CNS.  Begin by tearing the larva in half with a pair of fine forceps, and then turn the cuticle "inside-out" to expose the CNS.  If the dissection is performed carefully the CNS will remain attached to the cuticle.  We usually keep the CNS attached to the cuticle throughout the fixation and staining steps, and only completely remove the CNS from the cuticle just prior to mounting the samples on glass slides.  We also show some representative images of a larval CNS stained with Eve, a transcription factor expressed in a subset of neurons in the CNS.  The article concludes with a discussion of some of the practical uses of this technique and the potential difficulties that may arise.

In this article we demonstrate how to dissect the central nervous system from third instar Drosophila larvae.

Dissezione del sistema nervoso centrale larvali in Drosophila melanogaster

The central nervous system (CNS) of Drosophila larvae is complex and poorly understood.  One way to investigate the CNS is to use immunohistochemistry to ...

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Biologia

Drosophila Larval NMJ Dissection

The Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is an established model system used for the study of synaptic development and plasticity. The widespread use of the Drosophila motor system is due to its high accessibility. It can be analyzed with single-cell resolution. There are 30 muscles per hemisegment whose arrangement within the peripheral body wall are known. A total of 35 motor neurons attach to these muscles in a pattern that has high fidelity. Using molecular biology and genetics, one can create transgenic animals or mutants. Then, one can study the developmental consequences on the morphology and function of the NMJ. In order to access the NMJ for study, it is necessary to carefully dissect each larva. In this article we demonstrate how to properly dissect Drosophila larvae for study of the NMJ by removing all internal organs while leaving the body wall intact. This technique is suitable to prepare larvae for imaging, immunohistochemistry, or electrophysiology.

This protocol demonstrates how to dissect Drosophila larvae in preparation for immunohistochemistry and/or imaging of the neuromuscular junction.

Drosophila larvali NMJ Dissection

The Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is an established model system used for the study of synaptic development and plasticity. The widespread use ...

Drosophila Larval NMJ Immunohistochemistry

The Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is an established model system used for the study of synaptic development and plasticity. The widespread use of the Drosophila motor system is due to its high accessibility. It can be analyzed with single-cell resolution. There are 30 muscles per hemisegment whose arrangement within the peripheral body wall are known. A total of 31 motor neurons attach to these muscles in a pattern that has high fidelity. Using molecular biology and genetics, one can create transgenic animals or mutants. Then, one can study the developmental consequences on the morphology and function of the NMJ. Immunohistochemistry can be used to clearly image the components of the NMJ. In this article, we demonstrate how to use antibody staining to visualize the Drosophila larval NMJ.

Drosophila Larval NMJ Immunohistochemistry

This protocol demonstrates how to perform immunohistochemistry on dissected Drosophila larva.

Drosophila larvali NMJ Immunoistochimica

Dissection and Staining of Drosophila Larval Ovaries

Many organs depend on stem cells for their development during embryogenesis and for maintenance or repair during adult life. Understanding how stem cells form, and how they interact with their environment is therefore crucial for understanding development, homeostasis and disease. The ovary of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster has served as an influential model for the interaction of germ line stem cells (GSCs) with their somatic support cells (niche) 1, 2. The known location of the niche and the GSCs, coupled to the ability to genetically manipulate them, has allowed researchers to elucidate a variety of interactions between stem cells and their niches 3-12.
Despite the wealth of information about mechanisms controlling GSC maintenance and differentiation, relatively little is known about how GSCs and their somatic niches form during development. About 18 somatic niches, whose cellular components include terminal filament and cap cells (Figure 1), form during the third larval instar 13-17. GSCs originate from primordial germ cells (PGCs). PGCs proliferate at early larval stages, but following the formation of the niche a subgroup of PGCs becomes GSCs 7, 16, 18, 19. Together, the somatic niche cells and the GSCs make a functional unit that produces eggs throughout the lifetime of the organism.
Many questions regarding the formation of the GSC unit remain unanswered. Processes such as coordination between precursor cells for niches and stem cell precursors, or the generation of asymmetry within PGCs as they become GSCs, can best be studied in the larva. However, a methodical study of larval ovary development is physically challenging. First, larval ovaries are small. Even at late larval stages they are only 100&mu;m across. In addition, the ovaries are transparent and are embedded in a white fat body. Here we describe a step-by-step protocol for isolating ovaries from late third instar (LL3) Drosophila larvae, followed by staining with fluorescent antibodies. We offer some technical solutions to problems such as locating the ovaries, staining and washing tissues that do not sink, and making sure that antibodies penetrate into the tissue. This protocol can be applied to earlier larval stages and to larval testes as well.

Dissection and Staining of Drosophila Larval Ovaries

How niches and stem cells form during development is an important question with practical implications. In the Drosophila ovary, germ line stem cells and their somatic niches form during larval development. This video demonstrates how to dissect, stain and mount female gonads from late third instar (LL3) Drosophila larvae.

Dissezione e colorazione di Drosophila Larvali ovaie

Many organs depend on stem cells for their development during embryogenesis and for maintenance or repair during adult life. Understanding how stem cells ...

Direct Detection of the Acetate-forming Activity  of the Enzyme Acetate Kinase

Acetate kinase, a member of the acetate and sugar kinase-Hsp70-actin (ASKHA) enzyme superfamily1-5, is responsible for the reversible phosphorylation of acetate to acetyl phosphate utilizing ATP as a substrate. Acetate kinases are ubiquitous in the Bacteria, found in one genus of Archaea, and are also present in microbes of the Eukarya6. The most well characterized acetate kinase is that from the methane-producing archaeon Methanosarcina thermophila7-14. An acetate kinase which can only utilize PPi but not ATP in the acetyl phosphate-forming direction has been isolated from Entamoeba histolytica, the causative agent of amoebic dysentery, and has thus far only been found in this genus15,16.
In the direction of acetyl phosphate formation, acetate kinase activity is typically measured using the hydroxamate assay, first described by Lipmann17-20, a coupled assay in which conversion of ATP to ADP is coupled to oxidation of NADH to NAD+ by the enzymes pyruvate kinase and lactate dehydrogenase21,22, or an assay measuring release of inorganic phosphate after reaction of the acetyl phosphate product with hydroxylamine23. Activity in the opposite, acetate-forming direction is measured by coupling ATP formation from ADP to the reduction of NADP+ to NADPH by the enzymes hexokinase and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase24.
Here we describe a method for the detection of acetate kinase activity in the direction of acetate formation that does not require coupling enzymes, but is instead based on direct determination of acetyl phosphate consumption. After the enzymatic reaction, remaining acetyl phosphate is converted to a ferric hydroxamate complex that can be measured spectrophotometrically, as for the hydroxamate assay. Thus, unlike the standard coupled assay for this direction that is dependent on the production of ATP from ADP, this direct assay can be used for acetate kinases that produce ATP or PPi.

A method for the determination of acetate kinase activity is described. This assay utilizes a direct reaction for determining enzyme activity and kinetics of acetate kinase in the acetate-forming direction with different phosphoryl acceptors. Furthermore, this method can be utilized for assaying other acetyl phosphate or acetyl-CoA utilizing enzymes.

Rilevazione diretta della acetato di formazione Attività di acetato enzima chinasi

Acetate kinase, a member of the acetate and sugar kinase-Hsp70-actin (ASKHA) enzyme superfamily1-5, is responsible for the reversible phosphorylation of ...

Assaying the Kinase Activity of LRRK2 in vitro

Leucine Rich Repeat Kinase 2 (LRRK2) is a 2527 amino acid member of the ROCO family of proteins, possessing a complex, multidomain structure including a GTPase domain (termed ROC, for Ras of Complex proteins) and a kinase domain1. The discovery in 2004 of mutations in LRRK2 that cause Parkinson's disease (PD) resulted in LRRK2 being the focus of a huge volume of research into its normal function and how the protein goes awry in the disease state2,3. Initial investigations into the function of LRRK2 focused on its enzymatic activities4-6. Although a clear picture has yet to emerge of a consistent alteration in these due to mutations, data from a number of groups has highlighted the importance of the kinase activity of LRRK2 in cell death linked to mutations7,8. Recent publications have reported inhibitors targeting the kinase activity of LRRK2, providing a key experimental tool9-11. In light of these data, it is likely that the enzymatic properties of LRRK2 afford us an important window into the biology of this protein, although whether they are potential drug targets for Parkinson's is open to debate.
A number of different approaches have been used to assay the kinase activity of LRRK2. Initially, assays were carried out using epitope tagged protein overexpressed in mammalian cell lines and immunoprecipitated, with the assays carried out using this protein immobilised on agarose beads4,5,7. Subsequently, purified recombinant fragments of LRRK2 in solution have also been used, for example a GST tagged fragment purified from insect cells containing residues 970 to 2527 of LRRK212. Recently, Dani&euml;ls et al. reported the isolation of full length LRRK2 in solution from human embryonic kidney cells, however this protein is not widely available13. In contrast, the GST fusion truncated form of LRRK2 is commercially available (from Invitrogen, see table 1 for details), and provides a convenient tool for demonstrating an assay for LRRK2 kinase activity. Several different outputs for LRRK2 kinase activity have been reported. Autophosphorylation of LRRK2 itself, phosphorylation of Myelin Basic Protein (MBP) as a generic kinase substrate and phosphorylation of an artificial substrate - dubbed LRRKtide, based upon phosphorylation of threonine 558 in Moesin - have all been used, as have a series of putative physiological substrates including &alpha;-synuclein, Moesin and 4-EBP14-17. The status of these proteins as substrates for LRRK2 remains unclear, and as such the protocol described below will focus on using MBP as a generic substrate, noting the utility of this system to assay LRRK2 kinase activity directed against a range of potential substrates.

Assaying the Kinase Activity of LRRK2 in vitro

Leucine Rich Repeat Kinase 2 is a large multidomain kinase, mutations in which are the most common genetic cause of Parkinson's disease. Analysis of the kinase activity of this protein has proven to be a crucial tool in understanding the biology and dysfunction of this protein. In this paper, in vitro assaying of the kinase activity of LRRK2 and a selection of its mutants is described, providing an experimental system to examine phosphorylation of putative substrates and potential dysfunction of LRRK2 in disease.

Saggiare l&#39;attività chinasi di LRRK2 In vitro</em

Leucine Rich Repeat Kinase 2 (LRRK2) is a 2527 amino acid member of the ROCO family of proteins, possessing a complex, multidomain structure including a ...

Measurement of Lifespan in Drosophila melanogaster

Aging is a phenomenon that results in steady physiological deterioration in nearly all organisms in which it has been examined, leading to reduced physical performance and increased risk of disease. Individual aging is manifest at the population level as an increase in age-dependent mortality, which is often measured in the laboratory by observing lifespan in large cohorts of age-matched individuals. Experiments that seek to quantify the extent to which genetic or environmental manipulations impact lifespan in simple model organisms have been remarkably successful for understanding the aspects of aging that are conserved across taxa and for inspiring new strategies for extending lifespan and preventing age-associated disease in mammals.
The vinegar fly, Drosophila melanogaster, is an attractive model organism for studying the mechanisms of aging due to its relatively short lifespan, convenient husbandry, and facile genetics. However, demographic measures of aging, including age-specific survival and mortality, are extraordinarily susceptible to even minor variations in experimental design and environment, and the maintenance of strict laboratory practices for the duration of aging experiments is required. These considerations, together with the need to practice careful control of genetic background, are essential for generating robust measurements. Indeed, there are many notable controversies surrounding inference from longevity experiments in yeast, worms, flies and mice that have been traced to environmental or genetic artifacts1-4. In this protocol, we describe a set of procedures that have been optimized over many years of measuring longevity in Drosophila using laboratory vials. We also describe the use of the dLife software, which was developed by our laboratory and is available for download (<a href="http://sitemaker.umich.edu/pletcherlab/software">http://sitemaker.umich.edu/pletcherlab/software</a>). dLife accelerates throughput and promotes good practices by incorporating optimal experimental design, simplifying fly handling and data collection, and standardizing data analysis. We will also discuss the many potential pitfalls in the design, collection, and interpretation of lifespan data, and we provide steps to avoid these dangers.

Measurement of Lifespan in Drosophila melanogaster

Drosophila melanogaster is a powerful model organism for exploring the molecular basis of longevity regulation. This protocol will discuss the steps involved in generating a reproducible, population-based measurement of longevity as well as potential pitfalls and how to avoid them.

Misura della durata della vita in<em&gt; Drosophila melanogaster</em

Aging is a phenomenon that results in steady physiological deterioration in nearly all organisms in which it has been examined, leading to reduced ...

A Method of Permeabilization of Drosophila Embryos for Assays of Small Molecule Activity

The Drosophila embryo has long been a powerful laboratory model for elucidating molecular and genetic mechanisms that control development. The ease of genetic manipulations with this model has supplanted pharmacological approaches that are commonplace in other animal models and cell-based assays. Here we describe recent advances in a protocol that enables application of small molecules to the developing fruit fly embryo. The method details steps to overcome the impermeability of the eggshell while maintaining embryo viability. Eggshell permeabilization across a broad range of developmental stages is achieved by application of a previously described d-limonene embryo permeabilization solvent (EPS1) and by aging embryos at reduced temperature (18 &#176;C) prior to treatments. In addition, use of a far-red dye (CY5) as a permeabilization indicator is described, which is compatible with downstream applications involving standard red and green fluorescent dyes in live and fixed preparations. This protocol is applicable to studies using bioactive compounds to probe developmental mechanisms as well as for studies aimed at evaluating teratogenic or pharmacologic activity of uncharacterized small molecules.

A Method of Permeabilization of Drosophila Embryos for Assays of Small Molecule Activity

Introduction of small molecules to the developing Drosophila embryo offers great potential for characterizing biological activity of novel compounds, drugs, and toxins as well as for probing fundamental developmental pathways. Methods described herein outline steps that overcome natural barriers to this approach, expanding the utility of the Drosophila embryo model.

Un metodo di Permeabilization di<em&gt; Drosophila</em&gt; Gli embrioni per saggi di piccole molecole di attività

The Drosophila embryo has long been a powerful laboratory model for elucidating molecular and genetic mechanisms that control development. The ease of ...

Measurement of Metabolic Rate in Drosophila using Respirometry

Metabolic disorders are a frequent problem affecting human health. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms that regulate metabolism is a crucial scientific task. Many disease causing genes in humans have a fly homologue, making Drosophila a good model to study signaling pathways involved in the development of different disorders. Additionally, the tractability of Drosophila simplifies genetic screens to aid in identifying novel therapeutic targets that may regulate metabolism. In order to perform such a screen a simple and fast method to identify changes in the metabolic state of flies is necessary. In general, carbon dioxide production is a good indicator of substrate oxidation and energy expenditure providing information about metabolic state. In this protocol we introduce a simple method to measure CO2 output from flies. This technique can potentially aid in the identification of genetic perturbations affecting metabolic rate.

Measurement of Metabolic Rate in Drosophila using Respirometry

Metabolic disorders are among one of the most common diseases in humans. The genetically tractable model organism D. melanogaster can be used to identify novel genes that regulate metabolism. This paper describes a relatively simple method which allows studying the metabolic rate in flies by measuring their CO2 production.

Misurazione del tasso metabolico in<em&gt; Drosophila</em&gt; Utilizzando respirometria

Metabolic disorders are a frequent problem affecting human health. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms that regulate metabolism is a crucial ...

Functional Reconstitution and Channel Activity Measurements of Purified Wildtype and Mutant CFTR Protein

The Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) is a unique channel-forming member of the ATP Binding Cassette (ABC) superfamily of transporters. The phosphorylation and nucleotide dependent chloride channel activity of CFTR has been frequently studied in whole cell systems and as single channels in excised membrane patches. Many Cystic Fibrosis-causing mutations have been shown to alter this activity. While a small number of purification protocols have been published, a fast reconstitution method that retains channel activity and a suitable method for studying population channel activity in a purified system have been lacking. Here rapid methods are described for purification and functional reconstitution of the full-length CFTR protein into proteoliposomes of defined lipid composition that retains activity as a regulated halide channel. This reconstitution method together with a novel flux-based assay of channel activity is a suitable system for studying the population channel properties of wild type CFTR and the disease-causing mutants F508del- and G551D-CFTR. Specifically, the method has utility in studying the direct effects of phosphorylation, nucleotides and small molecules such as potentiators and inhibitors on CFTR channel activity. The methods are also amenable to the study of other membrane channels/transporters for anionic substrates.

Described here is a rapid and effective procedure for functional reconstitution of purified wild-type and mutant CFTR protein that preserves activity for this chloride channel, which is defective in Cystic Fibrosis. Iodide efflux from reconstituted proteoliposomes mediated by CFTR allows studies of channel activity and the effects of small molecules.