Name: loading drosophila nerve terminals with calcium indicators
Uploaded: 2007-07-30T00:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Loading Drosophila Nerve Terminals with Calcium Indicators at JoVE.com

<ol>
<li>Select a clean dissection dish that has not been exposed to any fixatives. </li>
<li>Dissect a wandering 3rd instar Drosophila larva in Schneider's Drosophila Medium containing Ca2+ and L-glutamine, (do not cut any nerves or damage muscle fibers Nos. 7, 6, 13 or 12). </li>
<li>Select a glass filling-pipette with a 12&nbsp;micron tip (internal diameter). </li>
<li>Using a syringe and tubing (to apply negative pressure to the pipette) ensure that the pipette tip is not obstructed.<br...

<ol>
	<li>Macleod, G. T., Hegstrom-Wojtowicz, M., Charlton, M. P., Atwood, H. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fast+calcium+signals+in+Drosophila+motor+neuron+terminals.">Fast calcium signals in Drosophila motor neuron terminals.</a> J. Neurophysiol. 88, 2659-2663 (2002).</li><li>Macleod, G. T., Suster, M. L., Charlton, M. P., Atwood, H. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Single+neuron+activity+in+the+Drosophila+larval+CNS+detected+with+calcium+indicators.">Single neuron activity in the Drosophila larval CNS detected with calcium indicators.</a> J. Neurosci. Methods. 127, 167-178 (2003).</li><li>Macleod, G. T., Marin, L., Charlton, M. P., Atwood, H. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Synaptic+vesicles:+test+for+a+role+in+presynaptic+calcium+regulation.">Synaptic vesicles: test for a role in presynaptic calcium regulation.</a> J. Neurosci. 24, 2496-2505 (2004).</li><li>Reiff, D. F., Thiel, P. R., 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=Differential+regulation+of+active+zone+density+during+long-term+strengthening+of+Drosophila+neuromuscular+junctions.">Differential regulation of active zone density during long-term strengthening of Drosophila neuromuscular junctions.</a> J. Neurosci. 22, 9399-9409 (2002).</li><li>Reiff, D. F., Ihring, A., Guerrero, G., Isacoff, E. Y., Joesch, M., Nakai, J., Borst, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vivo+performance+of+genetically+encoded+indicators+of+neural+activity+in+flies.">In vivo performance of genetically encoded indicators of neural activity in flies.</a> J. Neurosci. 25, 4766-4778 (2005).</li></ol>

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		<th>Material Name</th>
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<td>Schneider&#x2019;s Insect Medium</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>S0146</td>
<td>must contain L-glutamine and calcium</td>
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<td>L-glutamic acid monosodium salt hydrate</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>G1626</td>
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loading drosophila nerve terminals with calcium indicators

Calcium plays many roles in the nervous system but none more impressive than as the trigger for neurotransmitter release, and none more profound than as the messenger essential for the synaptic plasticity that supports learning and memory. To further elucidate the molecular underpinnings of Ca2+-dependent synaptic mechanisms, a model system is required that is both genetically malleable and physiologically accessible. Drosophila melanogaster provides such a model. In this system, genetically-encoded fluorescent indicators are available to detect Ca2+ changes in nerve terminals. However, these indicators have limited sensitivity to Ca2+ and often show a non-linear response. Synthetic fluorescent indicators are better suited for measuring the rapid Ca2+ changes associated with nerve activity. Here we demonstrate a technique for loading dextran-conjugated synthetic Ca2+ indicators into live nerve terminals in Drosophila larvae. Particular emphasis is placed on those aspects of the protocol most critical to the technique's success, such as how to avoid static electricity discharges along the isolated nerves, maintaining the health of the preparation during extended loading periods, and ensuring axon survival by providing Ca2+ to promote sealing of severed axon endings. Low affinity dextran-conjugated Ca2+-indicators, such as fluo-4 and rhod, are available which show a high signal-to-noise ratio while minimally disrupting presynaptic Ca2+ dynamics. Dextran-conjugation helps prevent Ca2+ indicators being sequestered into organelles such as mitochondria. The loading technique can be applied equally to larvae, embryos and adults.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Loading Drosophila Nerve Terminals with Calcium Indicators at JoVE.com

Loading Drosophila Nerve Terminals with Calcium Indicators

Calcium is a ubiquitous messenger in the nervous system, essential for triggering neurotransmitter release and changes in synaptic strength. Here we demonstrate a technique for loading Ca2+-indicators into Drosophila nerve terminals. We also demonstrate fabrication of the required apparatus and emphasize points critical for the technique's success.

Calcium plays many roles in the nervous system but none more impressive than as the trigger for neurotransmitter release, and none more profound than as ...

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