Name: functional analysis of the larval feeding circuit in drosophila
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Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Functional Analysis of the Larval Feeding Circuit in Drosophila at JoVE.com

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1. Manutenzione delle Gabbie Popolazione <ol><li> Mantenere gabbie popolazione a 25 ° C con un ciclo luce-buio 12 hr. Fintanto che i gruppi di controllo e sperimentali sono esposti alle stesse condizioni di illuminazione, allora questa tecnica può essere eseguita in un ambiente di laboratorio standard. </li><li> Consentire femmine depongono le uova durante la notte su piastre di agar succo di mela. </li><li> Raccogliere le larve neonate mantenendo piatti con le uova appena depositate a 25 ° C per 24 ore. Mettere un...

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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+trophic+role+for+serotonin+in+the+development+of+a+simple+feeding+circuit.">A trophic role for serotonin in the development of a simple feeding circuit.</a> Dev. Neurosci. 32, 217-237 .</li><li>De Vry, J., Schreiber, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effects+of+selected+serotonin+5-HT+1+and+5-HT+2+receptor+agonists+on+feeding+behavior:+possible+mechanisms+of+action.">Effects of selected serotonin 5-HT 1 and 5-HT 2 receptor agonists on feeding behavior: possible mechanisms of action.</a> Neurosci. Biobehav. Rev. 24, 341-353 (2000).</li><li>Schoofs, A., Niederegger, S., van Ooyen, A., Heinzel, H., Spie&#223;, 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+brain+can+eat:+Establishing+the+existence+of+a+central+pattern+generator+for+feeding+in+third+instar+larvae+of+Drosophila+virilis+and+Drosophila+melanogaster.">The brain can eat: Establishing the existence of a central pattern generator for feeding in third instar larvae of Drosophila virilis and Drosophila melanogaster.</a> J. Insect Physiol. 56, 695-705 (2010).</li><li>Spie&#223;, R., Schoofs, A., Heinzel, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Anatomy+of+the+stomatogastric+nervous+system+associated+with+the+foregut+in+Drosophila+melanogaster+and+Calliphora+vicin+third+instar+larvae.">Anatomy of the stomatogastric nervous system associated with the foregut in Drosophila melanogaster and Calliphora vicin third instar larvae.</a> J. Morphol. 269, 272-282 (2008).</li><li>Neckameyer, W. S., Bhatt, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neurotrophic+actions+of+dopamine+on+the+development+of+a+serotonergic+feeding+circuit+in+Drosophila+melanogaster.">Neurotrophic actions of dopamine on the development of a serotonergic feeding circuit in Drosophila melanogaster.</a> Biomed Cent NeuroSci. 13, 26 (2012).</li><li>Sewall, D., Burnet, B., Connolly, K. <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+larval+feeding+behavior+in+Drosophila+melanogaste.">Genetic analysis of larval feeding behavior in Drosophila melanogaste.</a> Genet. Res. 24, 163-173 (1975).</li><li>Joshi, A., Mueller, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Evolution+of+higher+feeding+rate+in+Drosophila+due+to+density-dependent+natural+selection.">Evolution of higher feeding rate in Drosophila due to density-dependent natural selection.</a> Evolution. 42, 1090-1093 (1988).</li><li>Budnik, V., Wu, C., White, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Altered+branching+of+serotonin-containing+neurons+in+Drosophila+mutants+unable+to+synthesize+serotonin+and+dopamine.">Altered branching of serotonin-containing neurons in Drosophila mutants unable to synthesize serotonin and dopamine.</a> J. Neurosci. 9, 2866-2877 (1989).</li><li>Sykes, P., Condron, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Development+and+sensitivity+to+serotonin+of+Drosophila+varicosities+in+the+central+nervous+system.">Development and sensitivity to serotonin of Drosophila varicosities in the central nervous system.</a> Dev. Biol. 286, 207-216 (2005).</li><li>Garrity, P. A., Goodman, M. B., Samuel, A. D., Sengupta, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Running+hot+and+cold:+behavioral+strategies,+neural+circuits,+and+the+molecular+machinery+for+thermotaxis+inC.+elegansand+Drosophila.">Running hot and cold: behavioral strategies, neural circuits, and the molecular machinery for thermotaxis inC. elegansand Drosophila.</a> Genes Dev. 24, 2365-2382 (2010).</li><li>McKemy, D. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Temperature+sensing+across+species.">Temperature sensing across species.</a> Pflugers Archives. 454, 777-791 (2007).</li></ol>

Sviluppo aberrante del circuito stomatogastric serotoninergico, che si verifica durante la tarda embriogenesi, influenzerà la sua funzione maturo. Modifiche della struttura neurite innervano l&#39;intestino può essere correlato con l&#39;uscita funzionale del circuito, che sta alimentando tasso (misurato dalla bocca contrazioni gancio in una soluzione di lievito) (Figura 1). L&#39;utilizzo del sistema bipartito UAS-GAL4 in Drosophila permette di indirizzare specificamente up-o down-regolato e...

Drosophila è estremamente potente sistema modello per lo studio dello sviluppo del circuito neurale a causa di tempi rapidi generazione, a basso costo sperimentale, e la capacità di manipolare e controllare i fattori genetici e ambientali. Neurogenesi, constatazione percorso neuronale e la sinaptogenesi sono conservati tra l&#39;uomo e Drosophila, quindi i meccanismi di creazione, il mantenimento e la modifica dei circuiti neurali sono conservati pure. Neurotrasmettitori, come la serotonina (5-idrossitriptamina, o 5-HT) possono servire come fattori di crescita prima di adottare il loro ruolo di molecole di segnalazione nel maturo circuito neurale 1-3 Studi precedenti hanno dimostrato che perturbato livelli di 5-HT durante l&#39;embriogenesi alterare la connettività dei neuroni maturi 4. Altri hanno dimostrato che l&#39;applicazione ectopica di 5-HT a neuroni in coltura Helisoma reprimere neuriti e sinaptogenesi 5-7. In Drosophila, sviluppo livelli di 5-HT sono inversamente proporzionali al numero di varici e dimensione, nonché il grado di aborization, lungo la lunghezza dei neuriti sporgenti al foregut dal CNS 8. Neurotrasmissione serotoninergica ha dimostrato di modulare i comportamenti alimentari di specie diverse, tra cui Drosophila 8-9. Il circuito di alimentazione in Drosophila è relativamente semplice circuito che può essere utilizzato come modello per correlare l&#39;uscita funzionale (alimentazione) con alterazioni nello sviluppo delle proiezioni assonale dal cervello foregut. Schoofs et al. hanno dimostrato che larvale Drosophila è regolata da generatori di pattern centrali che influenzano la muscolatura 10. Mentre l&#39;anatomia muscolare specifico non è completamente compreso, è stato dimostrato che il nervo antenne, nervo mascellare, e prothoracic nervo accessorio sono responsabili dei bersagli muscolari coinvolte nellacomportamento alimentare. La maggior parte dei dati che coinvolgono la muscolatura e del nervo anatomia di alimentazione invertebrato è limitata a Calliphora larve. Il tasso di alimentazione del secondo larve instar può essere valutato retrazione delle scleriti cephalopharyngeal (ganci bocca), ed è riproducibile e high-throughput. Le piastre cephalopharyngeal sono innervati da fibre di centrali neuroni 5-HT attraverso il nervo frontale. Il proventricolo, o foregut, è innervato da fibre serotoninergici (Recurrens del nervo) che fasciculate nel midgut e sono responsabili per la contrazione del foregut (Figura 1), 11-12. Cambiamenti nella ramificazione assonale, e il numero e le dimensioni delle varici lungo la lunghezza dei neuriti, possono essere quantizzati utilizzando tecniche immunoistochimiche. Manipolazione neuronale 5-HT durante lo sviluppo, direttamente o indirettamente, può modificare la potenza funzionale di questo circuito di alimentazione, che può essere valutato e correlata con i cambiamenti nel morphology dell&#39;architettura neurite.

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			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:217px;">Eclipse E-800 Microscope</td>
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functional analysis of the larval feeding circuit in drosophila

Il circuito di alimentazione serotoninergico in Drosophila melanogaster larve può essere usato per studiare substrati neuronali di importanza critica durante lo sviluppo del circuito. Utilizzando l&#39;uscita funzionale del circuito di alimentazione, modifiche della struttura neuronale del sistema stomatogastric può essere visualizzata. Comportamento alimentare può essere registrato osservando il tasso di retrazione dei ganci bocca, che ricevono innervazione dal cervello. Comportamento locomotorio viene utilizzato come controllo fisiologico per l&#39;alimentazione, poiché larve utilizzare loro bocca ganci attraversare le un substrato di agar. Cambiamenti nel comportamento alimentare possono essere correlati con l&#39;architettura assonale dei neuriti innervano l&#39;intestino. Usando immunoistochimica è possibile visualizzare e quantificare questi cambiamenti. L&#39;uso improprio delle larve durante paradigmi di comportamento in grado di alterare i dati in quanto sono molto sensibili alle manipolazioni. La corretta rappresentazione dell&#39;architettura neurite innervanol&#39;intestino è critico per la quantificazione precisa del numero e delle dimensioni delle varici nonché l&#39;entità di nodi ramo. Analisi della maggior parte dei circuiti consentono solo per la visualizzazione di architettura neurite o effetti comportamentali, tuttavia, questo modello permette di correlare l&#39;uscita funzionale del circuito con menomazioni dell&#39;architettura neuronale.

Il circuito di alimentazione serotoninergico nella larva Drosophila può servire come un modello estremamente efficace per osservare l&#39;influenza di fattori particolari sullo sviluppo del sistema nervoso. Con quantificazione tasso di alimentazione, è possibile collegare l&#39;architettura assonale del circuito di alimentazione con la sua uscita funzionale (Figura 1). Il dosaggio locomotore viene utilizzato come controllo fisiologico per le retrazioni dei ganci bocca, poiché larve utilizzar...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Functional Analysis of the Larval Feeding Circuit in Drosophila at JoVE.com

Functional Analysis of the Larval Feeding Circuit in Drosophila

Il circuito di alimentazione in Drosophila melanogaster larve propone un modello semplice ma potente che consente modifiche del tasso di alimentazione per essere correlati con alterazioni della circuiti neurali stomatogastric. Questo circuito è composto di neuroni serotoninergici centrali che inviano proiezioni ai ganci bocca e foregut.

Analisi funzionale del circuito di alimentazione larvale in Drosophila</i

The serotonergic  feeding circuit in Drosophila  melanogaster larvae can be used to investigate neuronal substrates of  critical importance during the ...

functional-analysis-of-the-larval-feeding-circuit-in-drosophila

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Neuroscience

Functional Analysis of the Larval Feeding Circuit in Drosophila

Visualization of Larval Segmental Nerves in 3rd Instar Drosophila Larval Preparations

Drosophila melanogaster is emerging as a powerful model system for studying the development and function of the nervous system, particularly because of its convenient genetics and fully sequenced genome. Additionally, the larval nervous system is an ideal model system to study mechanisms of axonal transport as the larval segmental nerves contain bundles of axons with their cell bodies located within the brain and their nerve terminals ending along the length of the body. Here we describe the procedure for visualization of synaptic vesicle proteins within larval segmental nerves. If done correctly, all components of the nervous system, along with associated tissues such as muscles and NMJs, remain intact, undamaged, and ready to be visualized. 3rd instar larvae carrying various mutations are dissected, fixed, incubated with synaptic vesicle antibodies, visualized and compared to wild type larvae. This procedure can be adapted for several different synaptic or neuronal antibodies and changes in the distribution of a variety of proteins can be easily observed within larval segmental nerves.

Visualization of Larval Segmental Nerves in 3rd Instar Drosophila Larval Preparations

Drosophila melanogaster larvae provide an ideal model system to investigate the mechanisms of axonal transport within larval segmental nerves. Using this procedure, 3rd instar larvae carrying various mutations can be compared to wild type larvae.

Visualizzazione dei nervi larvali segmentale in 3 Rd Instar Drosophila I preparativi larvali

Drosophila melanogaster is emerging as a powerful model system for studying the development and function of the nervous system, particularly because of ...

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Neuroscienze

In vivo Visualization of Synaptic Vesicles Within Drosophila Larval Segmental Axons

Elucidating the mechanisms of axonal transport has shown to be very important in determining how defects in long distance transport affect different neurological diseases. Defects in this essential process can have detrimental effects on neuronal functioning and development. We have developed a dissection protocol that is designed to expose the Drosophila larval segmental nerves to view axonal transport in real time. We have adapted this protocol for live imaging from the one published by Hurd and Saxton (1996) used for immunolocalizatin of larval segmental nerves. Careful dissection and proper buffer conditions are critical for maximizing the lifespan of the dissected larvae. When properly done, dissected larvae have shown robust vesicle transport for 2-3 hours under physiological conditions. We use the UAS-GAL4 method 1 to express GFP-tagged APP or synaptotagmin vesicles within a single axon or many axons in larval segmental nerves by using different neuronal GAL4 drivers. Other fluorescently tagged markers, for example mitochrondria (MitoTracker) or lysosomes (LysoTracker), can be also applied to the larvae before viewing. GFP-vesicle movement and particle movement can be viewed simultaneously using separate wavelengths.

In vivo Visualization of Synaptic Vesicles Within Drosophila Larval Segmental Axons

This protocol discusses the live dissection of Drosophila larvae for the purpose of imaging the movement of GFP tagged axonal vesicles on microtubule tracks.

Nella visualizzazione in vivo delle vescicole sinaptiche In Drosophila assoni larvali segmentale

Elucidating the mechanisms of axonal transport has shown to be very important in determining how defects in long distance transport affect different ...

Morphological Analysis of Drosophila Larval Peripheral Sensory Neuron Dendrites and Axons Using Genetic Mosaics

Nervous system development requires the correct specification of neuron position and identity, followed by accurate neuron class-specific dendritic development and axonal wiring. Recently the dendritic arborization (DA) sensory neurons of the Drosophila larval peripheral nervous system (PNS) have become powerful genetic models in which to elucidate both general and class-specific mechanisms of neuron differentiation.
There are four main DA neuron classes (I-IV)1. They are named in order of increasing dendrite arbor complexity, and have class-specific differences in the genetic control of their differentiation2-10. The DA sensory system is a practical model to investigate the molecular mechanisms behind the control of dendritic morphology11-13 because: 1) it can take advantage of the powerful genetic tools available in the fruit fly, 2) the DA neuron dendrite arbor spreads out in only 2 dimensions beneath an optically clear larval cuticle making it easy to visualize with high resolution in vivo, 3) the class-specific diversity in dendritic morphology facilitates a comparative analysis to find key elements controlling the formation of simple vs. highly branched dendritic trees, and 4) dendritic arbor stereotypical shapes of different DA neurons facilitate morphometric statistical analyses.
DA neuron activity modifies the output of a larval locomotion central pattern generator14-16. The different DA neuron classes have distinct sensory modalities, and their activation elicits different behavioral responses14,16-20. Furthermore different classes send axonal projections stereotypically into the Drosophila larval central nervous system in the ventral nerve cord (VNC)21. These projections terminate with topographic representations of both DA neuron sensory modality and the position in the body wall of the dendritic field7,22,23. Hence examination of DA axonal projections can be used to elucidate mechanisms underlying topographic mapping7,22,23, as well as the wiring of a simple circuit modulating larval locomotion14-17.
We present here a practical guide to generate and analyze genetic mosaics24 marking DA neurons via MARCM (Mosaic Analysis with a Repressible Cell Marker)1,10,25 and Flp-out22,26,27 techniques (summarized in Fig. 1).

Morphological Analysis of Drosophila Larval Peripheral Sensory Neuron Dendrites and Axons Using Genetic Mosaics

The dendritic arborization sensory neurons of the Drosophila larval peripheral nervous system are useful models to elucidate both general and neuron class-specific mechanisms of neuron differentiation. We present a practical guide to generate and analyze dendritic arborization neuron genetic mosaics.

Analisi morfologica del Drosophila Larvale dendriti sensoriali e periferico Neuron assoni utilizzo Mosaici genetici

Nervous system development requires the correct specification of neuron position and identity, followed by accurate neuron class-specific dendritic ...

Visualization of Proprioceptors in Drosophila Larvae and Pupae

Proprioception is the ability to sense the motion, or position, of body parts by responding to stimuli arising within the body. In fruitflies and other insects proprioception is provided by specialized sensory organs termed chordotonal organs (ChOs) 2. Like many other organs in Drosophila, ChOs develop twice during the life cycle of the fly. First, the larval ChOs develop during embryogenesis. Then, the adult ChOs start to develop in the larval imaginal discs and continue to differentiate during metamorphosis.
The development of larval ChOs during embryogenesis has been studied extensively 10,11,13,15,16. The centerpiece of each ChO is a sensory unit composed of a neuron and a scolopale cell. The sensory unit is stretched between two types of accessory cells that attach to the cuticle via specialized epidermal attachment cells 1,9,14. When a fly larva moves, the relative displacement of the epidermal attachment cells leads to stretching of the sensory unit and consequent opening of specific transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) channels at the outer segment of the dendrite 8,12. The elicited signal is then transferred to the locomotor central pattern generator circuit in the central nervous system.
Multiple ChOs have been described in the adult fly 7. These are located near the joints of the adult fly appendages (legs, wings and halters) and in the thorax and abdomen. In addition, several hundreds of ChOs collectively form the Johnston's organ in the adult antenna that transduce acoustic to mechanical energy 3,5,17,4.
In contrast to the extensive knowledge about the development of ChOs in embryonic stages, very little is known about the morphology of these organs during larval stages. Moreover, with the exception of femoral ChOs 18 and Johnston's organ, our knowledge about the development and structure of ChOs in the adult fly is very fragmentary.
Here we describe a method for staining and visualizing ChOs in third instar larvae and pupae. This method can be applied together with genetic tools to better characterize the morphology and understand the development of the various ChOs in the fly.

Visualization of Proprioceptors in Drosophila Larvae and Pupae

A method to immunostain and visualize chordotonal organs in larvae and pupae of Drosophila melanogaster is described.

Visualizzazione dei Propriorecettori in<em&gt; Drosophila</em&gt; Larve e pupe

Proprioception is the ability to sense the motion, or position, of body parts by responding to stimuli arising within the body. In fruitflies and other ...

Whole Mount Immunolabeling of Olfactory Receptor Neurons in the Drosophila Antenna

Odorant molecules bind to their target receptors in a precise and coordinated manner. Each receptor recognizes a specific signal and relays this information to the brain. As such, determining how olfactory information is transferred to the brain, modifying both perception and behavior, merits investigation. Interestingly, there is emerging evidence that cellular transduction and transcriptional factors are involved in the diversification of olfactory receptor neuron. Here we provide a robust whole mount immunological labeling method to assay in vivo olfactory receptor neuron organization. Using this method, we identified all olfactory receptor neurons with anti-ELAV antibody, a known pan-neural marker and Or49a-mCD8::GFP, an olfactory receptor neuron specifically expressed in Nba neuron using anti-GFP antibody.

Whole Mount Immunolabeling of Olfactory Receptor Neurons in the Drosophila Antenna

Herein we describe the process of whole mount immunostaining of Drosophila antennae, which enables us to better understand the molecular mechanisms involved in the diversification of olfactory receptor neurons (ORN)s.

Tutta Monte immunomarcatura di recettore olfattivo neuroni nel<em&gt; Drosophila</em&gt; Antenna

Odorant molecules bind to their target receptors in a precise and coordinated manner. Each receptor recognizes a specific signal and relays this ...

Live Imaging of Drosophila Larval Neuroblasts

Stem cells divide asymmetrically to generate two progeny cells with unequal fate potential: a self-renewing stem cell and a differentiating cell. Given their relevance to development and disease, understanding the mechanisms that govern asymmetric stem cell division has been a robust area of study. Because they are genetically tractable and undergo successive rounds of cell division about once every hour, the stem cells of the Drosophila central nervous system, or neuroblasts, are indispensable models for the study of stem cell division. About 100 neural stem cells are located near the surface of each of the two larval brain lobes, making this model system particularly useful for live imaging microscopy studies. In this work, we review several approaches widely used to visualize stem cell divisions, and we address the relative advantages and disadvantages of those techniques that employ dissociated versus intact brain tissues. We also detail our simplified protocol used to explant whole brains from third instar larvae for live cell imaging and fixed analysis applications.

Live Imaging of Drosophila Larval Neuroblasts

This protocol details a streamlined method used to conduct live cell imaging in the context of an intact larval brain. Live cell imaging approaches are invaluable for the study of asymmetric neural stem cell divisions as well as other neurogenic and developmental processes, consistently uncovering mechanisms that were previously overlooked.

Immagini dal vivo di<em&gt; Drosophila</em&gt; larvali neuroblasti

Stem cells divide asymmetrically to generate two progeny cells with unequal fate potential: a self-renewing stem cell and a differentiating cell. Given ...

Why Quantification Matters: Characterization of Phenotypes at the Drosophila Larval Neuromuscular Junction

Most studies on morphogenesis rely on qualitative descriptions of how anatomical traits are affected by the disruption of specific genes and genetic pathways. Quantitative descriptions are rarely performed, although genetic manipulations produce a range of phenotypic effects and variations are observed even among individuals within control groups.&#160;Emerging evidence shows that morphology, size and location of organelles play a previously underappreciated, yet fundamental role in cell function and survival. Here we provide step-by-step instructions for performing quantitative analyses of phenotypes at the Drosophila larval neuromuscular junction (NMJ). We use several reliable immuno-histochemical markers combined with bio-imaging techniques and morphometric analyses to examine the effects of genetic mutations on specific cellular processes. In particular, we focus on the quantitative analysis of phenotypes affecting morphology, size and position of nuclei within the striated muscles of Drosophila larvae. The Drosophila larval NMJ is a valuable experimental model to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the structure and the function of the neuromuscular system, both in health and disease. However, the methodologies we describe here can be extended to other systems as well.

Why Quantification Matters: Characterization of Phenotypes at the Drosophila Larval Neuromuscular Junction

Morphology, size and location of intracellular organelles are evolutionarily conserved and appear to directly affect their function. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes has become an important goal of modern biology. Here we show how these studies can be facilitated by the application of quantitative techniques.

Perché Quantificazione Matters: Caratterizzazione dei fenotipi al<em&gt; Drosophila</em&gt; Larvale Giunzione neuromuscolare

Most studies on morphogenesis rely on qualitative descriptions of how anatomical traits are affected by the disruption of specific genes and genetic ...

Removal of Drosophila Muscle Tissue from Larval Fillets for Immunofluorescence Analysis of Sensory Neurons and Epidermal Cells

Drosophila larval dendritic arborization (da) neurons are a popular model for investigating mechanisms of neuronal morphogenesis. Da neurons develop in communication with the epidermal cells they innervate and thus their analysis benefits from in situ visualization of both neuronally and epidermally expressed proteins by immunofluorescence. Traditional methods of preparing larval fillets for immunofluorescence experiments leave intact the muscle tissue that covers most of the body wall, presenting several challenges to imaging neuronal and epidermal proteins. Here we describe a method for removing muscle tissue from Drosophila larval fillets. This protocol enables imaging of proteins that are otherwise obscured by muscle tissue, improves signal to noise ratio, and facilitates the use of super-resolution microscopy to study da neuron development.

Removal of Drosophila Muscle Tissue from Larval Fillets for Immunofluorescence Analysis of Sensory Neurons and Epidermal Cells

Studies of neuronal morphogenesis using Drosophila larval dendritic arborization (da) neurons benefit from in situ visualization of neuronal and epidermal proteins by immunofluorescence. We describe a procedure that improves immunofluorescence analysis of da neurons and surrounding epidermal cells by removing muscle tissue from the larval body wall.

Rimozione di<em&gt; Drosophila</em&gt; Tessuto muscolare da larvali Filetti per l&#39;analisi di immunofluorescenza dei neuroni sensoriali e cellule epidermiche

Drosophila larval dendritic arborization (da) neurons are a popular model for investigating mechanisms of neuronal morphogenesis. Da neurons develop in ...

Using Linear Agarose Channels to Study Drosophila Larval Crawling Behavior

Drosophila larval crawling is emerging as a powerful model to study neural control of sensorimotor behavior. However, larval crawling behavior on flat open surfaces is complex,&#160;including: pausing, turning, and meandering. This complexity in the repertoire of movement hinders detailed analysis of the events occurring during a single crawl stride cycle. To overcome this obstacle, linear agarose channels were made that constrain larval behavior to straight, sustained, rhythmic crawling. In principle, because agarose channels and the Drosophila larval body are both optically clear, the movement of larval structures labeled by genetically-encoded fluorescent probes can be monitored in intact, freely-moving larvae. In the past, larvae were placed in linear channels and crawling at the level of whole organism, segment, and muscle were analyzed1. In the future, larvae crawling in channels can be used for calcium imaging to monitor neuronal activity. Moreover, these methods can be used with larvae of any genotype and with any researcher-designed channel. Thus the protocol presented below is widely applicable for studies using the Drosophila larva as a model to understand motor control.

Using Linear Agarose Channels to Study Drosophila Larval Crawling Behavior

The Drosophila larva is a powerful model system to study neural control of behavior. This publication describes the use of linear agarose channels to elicit sustained bouts of linear crawling and methods to quantify the dynamics of larval structures during repetitive crawling behavior.

Utilizzando canali lineari Agarose per studiare<em&gt; Drosophila</em&gt; Comportamento larvale Crawling

Drosophila larval crawling is emerging as a powerful model to study neural control of sensorimotor behavior. However, larval crawling behavior on flat ...

Focal Macropatch Recordings of Synaptic Currents from the Drosophila Larval Neuromuscular Junction

Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is an excellent model system to study glutamatergic synaptic transmission. We describe the technique of focal macropatch recordings of synaptic currents from visualized boutons at the Drosophila larval NMJ. This technique requires customized fabrication of recording micropipettes, as well as a compound microscope equipped with a high magnification, long-distance water immersion objective, differential interference contrast (DIC) optics, and a fluorescent attachment. The recording electrode is positioned on the top of a selected synaptic bouton visualized with DIC optics, epi-fluorescence, or both. The advantage of this technique is that it allows monitoring the synaptic activity of a limited number of sites of release. The recording electrode has&#160;a diameter of several microns, and the release sites positioned outside of the electrode rim do&#160;not significantly affect the recorded currents. The recorded synaptic currents have fast kinetics and can be readily resolved. These advantages are especially important for the studies of mutant fly lines with enhanced spontaneous or asynchronous synaptic activity.

Focal Macropatch Recordings of Synaptic Currents from the Drosophila Larval Neuromuscular Junction

Synaptic currents can be recorded focally from visualized synaptic boutons at the Drosophila third instar larvae neuromuscular junction. This technique enables monitoring the activity of a single synaptic bouton.

Macropatch focale registrazioni delle correnti sinaptiche da giunzione neuromuscolare larvale della drosofila

Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is an excellent model system to study glutamatergic synaptic transmission. We describe the technique of focal ...