1
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Jann C, Giofré S, Bhattacharjee R, Lemke EA. Cracking the Code: Reprogramming the Genetic Script in Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes to Harness the Power of Noncanonical Amino Acids. Chem Rev 2024; 124:10281-10362. [PMID: 39120726 PMCID: PMC11441406 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
Over 500 natural and synthetic amino acids have been genetically encoded in the last two decades. Incorporating these noncanonical amino acids into proteins enables many powerful applications, ranging from basic research to biotechnology, materials science, and medicine. However, major challenges remain to unleash the full potential of genetic code expansion across disciplines. Here, we provide an overview of diverse genetic code expansion methodologies and systems and their final applications in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, represented by Escherichia coli and mammalian cells as the main workhorse model systems. We highlight the power of how new technologies can be first established in simple and then transferred to more complex systems. For example, whole-genome engineering provides an excellent platform in bacteria for enabling transcript-specific genetic code expansion without off-targets in the transcriptome. In contrast, the complexity of a eukaryotic cell poses challenges that require entirely new approaches, such as striving toward establishing novel base pairs or generating orthogonally translating organelles within living cells. We connect the milestones in expanding the genetic code of living cells for encoding novel chemical functionalities to the most recent scientific discoveries, from optimizing the physicochemical properties of noncanonical amino acids to the technological advancements for their in vivo incorporation. This journey offers a glimpse into the promising developments in the years to come.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cosimo Jann
- Biocenter, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
- IMB
Postdoc Programme (IPPro), 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Sabrina Giofré
- Biocenter, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
- IMB
Postdoc Programme (IPPro), 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Rajanya Bhattacharjee
- Biocenter, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
- IMB
International PhD Programme (IPP), 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Edward A. Lemke
- Biocenter, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
- Institute
of Molecular Biology (IMB), 55128 Mainz, Germany
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2
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Summers F, Tuske AM, Puglisi C, Wong A, Rojo A, Swierk L. Ambient light spectrum affects larval Mexican jumping bean moth (Cydia saltitans) behavior despite light obstruction from host seed. Behav Processes 2024; 221:105093. [PMID: 39191315 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2024.105093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2024] [Revised: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
Spectral differences in ambient light can affect animal behavior and convey crucial information about an individual's environment. The ability to perceive and respond to differences in ambient light varies widely by taxa and is shaped by a species' ecology. Mexican jumping bean moths, Cydia saltitans, spend their entire larval period encased in fallen host seeds and contend with potentially lethal environmental temperatures when host seeds are in direct sunlight. We investigate if and how C. saltitans larvae in host seeds respond to lighting conditions associated with these thermal risks. In a temperature-controlled experiment, we identified that larvae demonstrated distinct behavioral ("jumping") responses corresponding to four lighting treatments (white, red, green, and purple), despite extremely minimal light penetration through host seed walls. Red light induced the greatest larval activity (measured by probability of movement and by displacement from origin), suggesting that larvae have mechanisms to perceive low levels of red light and/or to detect subtle increases in heat produced by red/near infrared-biased light spectra, possibly providing them with an early-warning mechanism against thermal stress. Our findings highlight the interplay of environmental lighting, behavior, and potential thermosensory adaptations in a species with a visually constrained environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faith Summers
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, NY 13902, USA
| | - Amber M Tuske
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, NY 13902, USA
| | - Cassandra Puglisi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, NY 13902, USA
| | - Annie Wong
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, NY 13902, USA
| | - Andrés Rojo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, NY 13902, USA
| | - Lindsey Swierk
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, NY 13902, USA; Amazon Conservatory for Tropical Studies, Iquitos, Loreto 16001, Perú.
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3
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Evans A, Ferrer AJ, Fradkov E, Shomar JW, Forer J, Klein M. Temperature sensitivity and temperature response across development in the Drosophila larva. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1275469. [PMID: 37965044 PMCID: PMC10641456 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1275469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The surrounding thermal environment is highly important for the survival and fitness of animals, and as a result most exhibit behavioral and neural responses to temperature changes. We study signals generated by thermosensory neurons in Drosophila larvae and also the physical and sensory effects of temperature variation on locomotion and navigation. In particular we characterize how sensory neuronal and behavioral responses to temperature variation both change across the development of the larva. Looking at a wide range of non-nociceptive isotropic thermal environments, we characterize the dependence of speed, turning rate, and other behavioral components on temperature, distinguishing the physical effects of temperature from behavior changes based on sensory processing. We also characterize the strategies larvae use to modulate individual behavioral components to produce directed navigation along thermal gradients, and how these strategies change during physical development. Simulations based on modified random walks show where thermotaxis in each developmental stage fits into the larger context of possible navigation strategies. We also investigate cool sensing neurons in the larva's dorsal organ ganglion, characterizing neural response to sine-wave modulation of temperature while performing single-cell-resolution 3D imaging. We determine the sensitivity of these neurons, which produce signals in response to extremely small temperature changes. Combining thermotaxis results with neurophysiology data, we observe, across development, sensitivity to temperature change as low as a few thousandths of a °C per second, or a few hundredths of a °C in absolute temperature change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasiia Evans
- Department of Physics, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
| | - Anggie J. Ferrer
- Department of Physics, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
| | - Erica Fradkov
- Department of Physics, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
| | - Joseph W. Shomar
- Department of Physics, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
| | - Josh Forer
- Department of Physics, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
| | - Mason Klein
- Department of Physics, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
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4
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Horn CJ, Robinson S, Tang H, Luong LT. Ectoparasitic mites exert non-consumptive effects on the larvae of a fruit fly host. Parasitology 2023; 150:934-938. [PMID: 37565500 PMCID: PMC10577651 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182023000744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
The mere presence of predators or parasites can negatively impact the fitness of prey or hosts. Exposure to predators during an organism's development can have deleterious effects on juvenile survival and the subsequent adult stage. Currently, it is unknown if parasites have analogous impacts on host larval stages and whether these effects carry over into other subsequent life stages. However, parasites may be exerting widespread yet underestimated non-consumptive effects (NCEs). We tested if Drosophila nigrospiracula larvae avoid pupating near mite cues (caged Macrocheles subbadius) in arena experiments, and measured the rate of pupation in arenas with mites and arenas without mites. Larvae disproportionately pupated on the side of arenas that lacked mite cues. Furthermore, fewer larvae successfully pupated in arenas containing mites cues compared to arenas without mite cues. We found that ectoparasitic mites exert NCEs on Drosophila larvae, even though the larval stage is not susceptible to infection. We discuss these results in the context of parasite impacts on host population growth in an infectious world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Collin J. Horn
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, 11455 Saskatchewan Drive Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Sarah Robinson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, 11455 Saskatchewan Drive Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Holly Tang
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, 11455 Saskatchewan Drive Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Lien T. Luong
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, 11455 Saskatchewan Drive Edmonton, AB, Canada
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5
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Yamaguchi A, Wu R, McNulty P, Karagyozov D, Mihovilovic Skanata M, Gershow M. Multi-neuronal recording in unrestrained animals with all acousto-optic random-access line-scanning two-photon microscopy. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1135457. [PMID: 37389365 PMCID: PMC10303936 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1135457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
To understand how neural activity encodes and coordinates behavior, it is desirable to record multi-neuronal activity in freely behaving animals. Imaging in unrestrained animals is challenging, especially for those, like larval Drosophila melanogaster, whose brains are deformed by body motion. A previously demonstrated two-photon tracking microscope recorded from individual neurons in freely crawling Drosophila larvae but faced limits in multi-neuronal recording. Here we demonstrate a new tracking microscope using acousto-optic deflectors (AODs) and an acoustic GRIN lens (TAG lens) to achieve axially resonant 2D random access scanning, sampling along arbitrarily located axial lines at a line rate of 70 kHz. With a tracking latency of 0.1 ms, this microscope recorded activities of various neurons in moving larval Drosophila CNS and VNC including premotor neurons, bilateral visual interneurons, and descending command neurons. This technique can be applied to the existing two-photon microscope to allow for fast 3D tracking and scanning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihiro Yamaguchi
- Department of Physics, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Rui Wu
- Department of Physics, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Paul McNulty
- Department of Physics, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Doycho Karagyozov
- Department of Physics, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | | | - Marc Gershow
- Department of Physics, New York University, New York, NY, United States
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, United States
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University, New York, NY, United States
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6
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Thane M, Paisios E, Stöter T, Krüger AR, Gläß S, Dahse AK, Scholz N, Gerber B, Lehmann DJ, Schleyer M. High-resolution analysis of individual Drosophila melanogaster larvae uncovers individual variability in locomotion and its neurogenetic modulation. Open Biol 2023; 13:220308. [PMID: 37072034 PMCID: PMC10113034 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.220308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuronally orchestrated muscular movement and locomotion are defining faculties of multicellular animals. Due to its simple brain and genetic accessibility, the larva of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster allows one to study these processes at tractable levels of complexity. However, although the faculty of locomotion clearly pertains to the individual, most studies of locomotion in larvae use measurements aggregated across animals, or animals tested one by one, an extravagance for larger-scale analyses. This prevents grasping the inter- and intra-individual variability in locomotion and its neurogenetic determinants. Here, we present the IMBA (individual maggot behaviour analyser) for analysing the behaviour of individual larvae within groups, reliably resolving individual identity across collisions. We use the IMBA to systematically describe the inter- and intra-individual variability in locomotion of wild-type animals, and how the variability is reduced by associative learning. We then report a novel locomotion phenotype of an adhesion GPCR mutant. We further investigated the modulation of locomotion across repeated activations of dopamine neurons in individual animals, and the transient backward locomotion induced by brief optogenetic activation of the brain-descending 'mooncrawler' neurons. In summary, the IMBA is an easy-to-use toolbox allowing an unprecedentedly rich view of the behaviour and its variability of individual larvae, with utility in multiple biomedical research contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Thane
- Department Genetics of Learning and Memory, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
- Department of Simulation and Graphics, Otto von Guerike University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Emmanouil Paisios
- Department Genetics of Learning and Memory, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Torsten Stöter
- Combinatorial NeuroImaging Core Facility, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Anna-Rosa Krüger
- Department Genetics of Learning and Memory, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Gläß
- Department Genetics of Learning and Memory, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Anne-Kristin Dahse
- Division of General Biochemistry, Rudolf Schönheimer Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nicole Scholz
- Division of General Biochemistry, Rudolf Schönheimer Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Bertram Gerber
- Department Genetics of Learning and Memory, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Dirk J. Lehmann
- Department of Simulation and Graphics, Otto von Guerike University, Magdeburg, Germany
- Department for Information Engineering, Faculty of Computer Science, Ostfalia University of Applied Science, Brunswick-Wolfenbuettel, Germany
| | - Michael Schleyer
- Department Genetics of Learning and Memory, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
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7
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Rodriguez-Rozada S, Wietek J, Tenedini F, Sauter K, Dhiman N, Hegemann P, Soba P, Wiegert JS. Aion is a bistable anion-conducting channelrhodopsin that provides temporally extended and reversible neuronal silencing. Commun Biol 2022; 5:687. [PMID: 35810216 PMCID: PMC9271052 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03636-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Optogenetic silencing allows to reveal the necessity of selected neuronal populations for various neurophysiological functions. These range from synaptic transmission and coordinated neuronal network activity to control of specific behaviors. An ideal single-component optogenetic silencing tool should be switchable between active and inactive states with precise timing while preserving its activity in the absence of light until switched to an inactive state. Although bistable anion-conducting channelrhodopsins (ACRs) were previously engineered to reach this goal, their conducting state lifetime was limited to only a few minutes and some ACRs were not fully switchable. Here we report Aion, a bistable ACR displaying a long-lasting open state with a spontaneous closing time constant close to 15 min. Moreover, Aion can be switched between the open and closed state with millisecond precision using blue and orange light, respectively. The long conducting state enables overnight silencing of neurons with minimal light exposure. We further generated trafficking-optimized versions of Aion, which show enhanced membrane localization and allow precisely timed, long-lasting all-optical control of nociceptive responses in larvae of Drosophila melanogaster. Thus, Aion is an optogenetic silencing tool for inhibition of neuronal activity over many hours which can be switched between an active and inactive state with millisecond precision. Aion is an anion-conducting, bistable channelrhodopsin that enables long-term silencing of neuronal networks, as demonstrated in organotypic hippocampal cultures and Drosophila melanogaster larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Rodriguez-Rozada
- Research Group Synaptic Wiring and Information Processing, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jonas Wietek
- Institute for Biology, Experimental Biophysics, Humboldt University Berlin, D-10115, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel.,Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Federico Tenedini
- Research Group Neuronal Patterning and Connectivity, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kathrin Sauter
- Research Group Synaptic Wiring and Information Processing, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251, Hamburg, Germany.,Research Group Neuronal Patterning and Connectivity, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Neena Dhiman
- LIMES Institute, Department of Molecular Brain Physiology and Behavior, University of Bonn, 53115, Bonn, Germany.,Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Peter Hegemann
- Institute for Biology, Experimental Biophysics, Humboldt University Berlin, D-10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - Peter Soba
- Research Group Neuronal Patterning and Connectivity, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251, Hamburg, Germany.,LIMES Institute, Department of Molecular Brain Physiology and Behavior, University of Bonn, 53115, Bonn, Germany.,Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - J Simon Wiegert
- Research Group Synaptic Wiring and Information Processing, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251, Hamburg, Germany.
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8
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Hao S, Gestrich JY, Zhang X, Xu M, Wang X, Liu L, Wei H. Neurotransmitters Affect Larval Development by Regulating the Activity of Prothoracicotropic Hormone-Releasing Neurons in Drosophila melanogaster. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:653858. [PMID: 34975366 PMCID: PMC8718639 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.653858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ecdysone, an essential insect steroid hormone, promotes larval metamorphosis by coordinating growth and maturation. In Drosophila melanogaster, prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH)-releasing neurons are considered to be the primary promoting factor in ecdysone biosynthesis. Recently, studies have reported that the regulatory mechanisms of PTTH release in Drosophila larvae are controlled by different neuropeptides, including allatostatin A and corazonin. However, it remains unclear whether neurotransmitters provide input to PTTH neurons and control the metamorphosis in Drosophila larvae. Here, we report that the neurotransmitters acetylcholine (ACh) affect larval development by modulating the activity of PTTH neurons. By downregulating the expression of different subunits of nicotinic ACh receptors in PTTH neurons, pupal volume was significantly increased, whereas pupariation timing was relatively unchanged. We also identified that PTTH neurons were excited by ACh application ex vivo in a dose-dependent manner via ionotropic nicotinic ACh receptors. Moreover, in our Ca2+ imaging experiments, relatively low doses of OA caused increased Ca2+ levels in PTTH neurons, whereas higher doses led to decreased Ca2+ levels. We also demonstrated that a low dose of OA was conveyed through OA β-type receptors. Additionally, our electrophysiological experiments revealed that PTTH neurons produced spontaneous activity in vivo, which provides the possibility of the bidirectional regulation, coming from neurons upstream of PTTH cells in Drosophila larvae. In summary, our findings indicate that several different neurotransmitters are involved in the regulation of larval metamorphosis by altering the activity of PTTH neurons in Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shun Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Julia Yvonne Gestrich
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Mengbo Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xinwei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Li Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hongying Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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9
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Wang J, Zhao W, Zhao Q, Zhou J, Li X, He Y, Gong Z. Drosophila Larval Light-Avoidance is Negatively Regulated by Temperature Through Two Pairs of Central Brain Neurons. Neurosci Bull 2021; 38:200-204. [PMID: 34751918 PMCID: PMC8821760 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-021-00785-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Wang
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Weiqiao Zhao
- Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Qianhui Zhao
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Jinrun Zhou
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Xinhang Li
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yinhui He
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Zhefeng Gong
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
- Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
- Zhejiang Lab, Hangzhou, 311121, China.
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10
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Chou A, Lin C, Cronin TW. Visual metamorphoses in insects and malacostracans: Transitions between an aquatic and terrestrial life. ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT 2020; 59:100974. [PMID: 32822960 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2020.100974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Arthropods operate in an outrageous diversity of environments. From the deep sea to dense tropical forests, to wide open arctic tundra, they have colonized almost every possible habitat. Within these environments, the presence of light is nearly ubiquitous, varying in intensity, wavelength, and polarization. Light provides critical information about the environment, such as time of day or where food sources may be located. Animals take advantage of this prevalent and informative cue to make behavioral choices. However, the types of choices animals face depend greatly on their environments and needs at any given time. In particular, animals that undergo metamorphosis, with arthropods being the prime example, experience dramatic changes in both behavior and ecology, which in turn may require altering the structure and function of sensory systems such as vision. Amphibiotic organisms maintain aquatic lifestyles as juveniles before transitioning to terrestrial lifestyles as adults. However, light behaves differently in water than in air, resulting in distinct aquatic and terrestrial optical environments. Visual changes in response to these optical differences can occur on multiple levels, from corneal structure down to neural organization. In this review, we summarize examples of alterations in the visual systems of amphibiotic larval and adult insects and malacostracan crustaceans, specifically those attributed to environmental differences between metamorphic phases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Chou
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA.
| | - Chan Lin
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA; Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC, 20560, USA
| | - Thomas W Cronin
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA
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11
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Zhao J, Warman G, Cheeseman J. The Development and Decay of the Circadian Clock in Drosophila melanogaster. Clocks Sleep 2020; 1:489-500. [PMID: 33089181 PMCID: PMC7445846 DOI: 10.3390/clockssleep1040037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The way in which the circadian clock mechanism develops and decays throughout life is interesting for a number of reasons and may give us insight into the process of aging itself. The Drosophila model has been proven invaluable for the study of the circadian clock and development and aging. Here we review the evidence for how the Drosophila clock develops and changes throughout life, and present a new conceptual model based on the results of our recent work. Firefly luciferase lines faithfully report the output of known clock genes at the central clock level in the brain and peripherally throughout the whole body. Our results show that the clock is functioning in embryogenesis far earlier than previously thought. This central clock in the fly remains robust throughout the life of the animal and only degrades immediately prior to death. However, at the peripheral (non-central oscillator level) the clock shows weakened output as the animal ages, suggesting the possibility of the breakdown in the cohesion of the circadian network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Zhao
- Department of Anaesthesiology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; (J.Z.); (G.W.)
| | - Guy Warman
- Department of Anaesthesiology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; (J.Z.); (G.W.)
| | - James Cheeseman
- Department of Anaesthesiology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; (J.Z.); (G.W.)
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12
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Bittern J, Pogodalla N, Ohm H, Brüser L, Kottmeier R, Schirmeier S, Klämbt C. Neuron-glia interaction in the Drosophila nervous system. Dev Neurobiol 2020; 81:438-452. [PMID: 32096904 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Animals are able to move and react in manifold ways to external stimuli. Thus, environmental stimuli need to be detected, information must be processed, and, finally, an output decision must be transmitted to the musculature to get the animal moving. All these processes depend on the nervous system which comprises an intricate neuronal network and many glial cells. Glial cells have an equally important contribution in nervous system function as their neuronal counterpart. Manifold roles are attributed to glia ranging from controlling neuronal cell number and axonal pathfinding to regulation of synapse formation, function, and plasticity. Glial cells metabolically support neurons and contribute to the blood-brain barrier. All of the aforementioned aspects require extensive cell-cell interactions between neurons and glial cells. Not surprisingly, many of these processes are found in all phyla executed by evolutionarily conserved molecules. Here, we review the recent advance in understanding neuron-glia interaction in Drosophila melanogaster to suggest that work in simple model organisms will shed light on the function of mammalian glial cells, too.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Bittern
- Institut für Neuro- und Verhaltensbiologie, Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Nicole Pogodalla
- Institut für Neuro- und Verhaltensbiologie, Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Henrike Ohm
- Institut für Neuro- und Verhaltensbiologie, Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Lena Brüser
- Institut für Neuro- und Verhaltensbiologie, Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Rita Kottmeier
- Institut für Neuro- und Verhaltensbiologie, Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Stefanie Schirmeier
- Institut für Neuro- und Verhaltensbiologie, Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Christian Klämbt
- Institut für Neuro- und Verhaltensbiologie, Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
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13
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Asirim EZ, Humberg TH, Maier GL, Sprecher SG. Circadian and Genetic Modulation of Visually-Guided Navigation in Drosophila Larvae. Sci Rep 2020; 10:2752. [PMID: 32066794 PMCID: PMC7026142 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59614-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Organisms possess an endogenous molecular clock which enables them to adapt to environmental rhythms and to synchronize their metabolism and behavior accordingly. Circadian rhythms govern daily oscillations in numerous physiological processes, and the underlying molecular components have been extensively described from fruit flies to mammals. Drosophila larvae have relatively simple nervous system compared to their adult counterparts, yet they both share a homologous molecular clock with mammals, governed by interlocking transcriptional feedback loops with highly conserved constituents. Larvae exhibit a robust light avoidance behavior, presumably enabling them to avoid predators and desiccation, and DNA-damage by exposure to ultraviolet light, hence are crucial for survival. Circadian rhythm has been shown to alter light-dark preference, however it remains unclear how distinct behavioral strategies are modulated by circadian time. To address this question, we investigate the larval visual navigation at different time-points of the day employing a computer-based tracking system, which allows detailed evaluation of distinct navigation strategies. Our results show that due to circadian modulation specific to light information processing, larvae avoid light most efficiently at dawn, and a functioning clock mechanism at both molecular and neuro-signaling level is necessary to conduct this modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ece Z Asirim
- Department of Biology, Institute of Zoology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Tim-Henning Humberg
- Department of Biology, Institute of Zoology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - G Larisa Maier
- Department of Biology, Institute of Zoology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Simon G Sprecher
- Department of Biology, Institute of Zoology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland.
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14
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Qin B, Humberg TH, Kim A, Kim HS, Short J, Diao F, White BH, Sprecher SG, Yuan Q. Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor signaling generates OFF selectivity in a simple visual circuit. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4093. [PMID: 31501438 PMCID: PMC6733798 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12104-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
ON and OFF selectivity in visual processing is encoded by parallel pathways that respond to either light increments or decrements. Despite lacking the anatomical features to support split channels, Drosophila larvae effectively perform visually-guided behaviors. To understand principles guiding visual computation in this simple circuit, we focus on investigating the physiological properties and behavioral relevance of larval visual interneurons. We find that the ON vs. OFF discrimination in the larval visual circuit emerges through light-elicited cholinergic signaling that depolarizes a cholinergic interneuron (cha-lOLP) and hyperpolarizes a glutamatergic interneuron (glu-lOLP). Genetic studies further indicate that muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAchR)/Gαo signaling produces the sign-inversion required for OFF detection in glu-lOLP, the disruption of which strongly impacts both physiological responses of downstream projection neurons and dark-induced pausing behavior. Together, our studies identify the molecular and circuit mechanisms underlying ON vs. OFF discrimination in the Drosophila larval visual system. Drosophila larvae are able to perform visually-guided behaviours yet the molecular and circuit mechanisms for discriminating changes in light intensity are not known. Here, the authors report that ON versus OFF discrimination results from opposing cholinergic and glutamatergic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Qin
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | | | - Anna Kim
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Hyong S Kim
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Jacob Short
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Fengqiu Diao
- National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Benjamin H White
- National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Simon G Sprecher
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Quan Yuan
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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15
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Lyutova R, Selcho M, Pfeuffer M, Segebarth D, Habenstein J, Rohwedder A, Frantzmann F, Wegener C, Thum AS, Pauls D. Reward signaling in a recurrent circuit of dopaminergic neurons and peptidergic Kenyon cells. Nat Commun 2019; 10:3097. [PMID: 31308381 PMCID: PMC6629635 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11092-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Dopaminergic neurons in the brain of the Drosophila larva play a key role in mediating reward information to the mushroom bodies during appetitive olfactory learning and memory. Using optogenetic activation of Kenyon cells we provide evidence that recurrent signaling exists between Kenyon cells and dopaminergic neurons of the primary protocerebral anterior (pPAM) cluster. Optogenetic activation of Kenyon cells paired with odor stimulation is sufficient to induce appetitive memory. Simultaneous impairment of the dopaminergic pPAM neurons abolishes appetitive memory expression. Thus, we argue that dopaminergic pPAM neurons mediate reward information to the Kenyon cells, and in turn receive feedback from Kenyon cells. We further show that this feedback signaling is dependent on short neuropeptide F, but not on acetylcholine known to be important for odor-shock memories in adult flies. Our data suggest that recurrent signaling routes within the larval mushroom body circuitry may represent a mechanism subserving memory stabilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radostina Lyutova
- Neurobiology and Genetics, Theodor-Boveri Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, D-97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Mareike Selcho
- Neurobiology and Genetics, Theodor-Boveri Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, D-97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Maximilian Pfeuffer
- Neurobiology and Genetics, Theodor-Boveri Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, D-97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Dennis Segebarth
- Neurobiology and Genetics, Theodor-Boveri Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, D-97074, Würzburg, Germany.,Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital of Würzburg, D-97078, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jens Habenstein
- Neurobiology and Genetics, Theodor-Boveri Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, D-97074, Würzburg, Germany.,Department of Behavioral Physiology and Sociobiology, Theodor-Boveri Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, D-97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Astrid Rohwedder
- Department of Genetics, University of Leipzig, D-04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Felix Frantzmann
- Neurobiology and Genetics, Theodor-Boveri Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, D-97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Christian Wegener
- Neurobiology and Genetics, Theodor-Boveri Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, D-97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Andreas S Thum
- Department of Genetics, University of Leipzig, D-04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Dennis Pauls
- Neurobiology and Genetics, Theodor-Boveri Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, D-97074, Würzburg, Germany.
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16
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Dombrovski M, Kim A, Poussard L, Vaccari A, Acton S, Spillman E, Condron B, Yuan Q. A Plastic Visual Pathway Regulates Cooperative Behavior in Drosophila Larvae. Curr Biol 2019; 29:1866-1876.e5. [PMID: 31130457 PMCID: PMC6615885 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2019.04.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Revised: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Cooperative behavior emerges in biological systems through coordinated actions among individuals [1, 2]. Although widely observed across animal species, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the establishment and maintenance of cooperative behaviors remain largely unknown [3]. To characterize the circuit mechanisms serving the needs of independent individuals and social groups, we investigated cooperative digging behavior in Drosophila larvae [4-6]. Although chemical and mechanical sensations are important for larval aggregation at specific sites [7-9], an individual larva's ability to participate in a cooperative burrowing cluster relies on direct visual input as well as visual and social experience during development. In addition, vision modulates cluster dynamics by promoting coordinated movements between pairs of larvae [5]. To determine the specific pathways within the larval visual circuit underlying cooperative social clustering, we examined larval photoreceptors (PRs) and the downstream local interneurons (lOLPs) using anatomical and functional studies [10, 11]. Our results indicate that rhodopsin-6-expressing-PRs (Rh6-PRs) and lOLPs are required for both cooperative clustering and movement detection. Remarkably, visual deprivation and social isolation strongly impact the structural and functional connectivity between Rh6-PRs and lOLPs, while at the same time having no effect on the adjacent rhodopsin-5-expressing PRs (Rh5-PRs). Together, our findings demonstrate that a specific larval visual pathway involved in social interactions undergoes experience-dependent modifications during development, suggesting that plasticity in sensory circuits could act as the cellular substrate for social learning, a possible mechanism allowing an animal to integrate into a malleable social environment and engage in complex social behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Dombrovski
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, 90 Geldard Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22901, USA
| | - Anna Kim
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, 31 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Leanne Poussard
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, 90 Geldard Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22901, USA
| | - Andrea Vaccari
- Department of Computer Science, Middlebury College, Bicentennial Way, Middlebury, VT 05753, USA
| | - Scott Acton
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Virginia, 351 McCormick Road, Charlottesville, VA 22901, USA
| | - Emma Spillman
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, 31 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Barry Condron
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, 90 Geldard Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22901, USA.
| | - Quan Yuan
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, 31 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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17
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Hartenstein V, Yuan M, Younossi-Hartenstein A, Karandikar A, Bernardo-Garcia FJ, Sprecher S, Knust E. Serial electron microscopic reconstruction of the drosophila larval eye: Photoreceptors with a rudimentary rhabdomere of microvillar-like processes. Dev Biol 2019; 453:56-67. [PMID: 31158364 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2019.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Photoreceptor cells (PRCs) across the animal kingdom are characterized by a stacking of apical membranes to accommodate the high abundance of photopigment. In arthropods and many other invertebrate phyla PRC membrane stacks adopt the shape of densely packed microvilli that form a structure called rhabdomere. PRCs and surrounding accessory cells, including pigment cells and lens-forming cells, are grouped in stereotyped units, the ommatidia. In larvae of holometabolan insects, eyes (called stemmata) are reduced in terms of number and composition of ommatidia. The stemma of Drosophila (Bolwig organ) is reduced to a bilateral cluster of subepidermal PRCs, lacking all other cell types. In the present paper we have analyzed the development and fine structure of the Drosophila larval PRCs. Shortly after their appearance in the embryonic head ectoderm, PRC precursors delaminate and lose expression of apical markers of epithelial cells, including Crumbs and several centrosome-associated proteins. In the early first instar larva, PRCs show an expanded, irregularly shaped apical surface that is folded into multiple horizontal microvillar-like processes (MLPs). Apical PRC membranes and MLPs are covered with a layer of extracellular matrix. MLPs are predominantly aligned along an axis that extends ventro-anteriorly to dorso-posteriorly, but vary in length, diameter, and spacing. Individual MLPs present a "beaded" shape, with thick segments (0.2-0.3 μm diameter) alternating with thin segments (>0.1 μm). We show that loss of the glycoprotein Chaoptin, which is absolutely essential for rhabdomere formation in the adult PRCs, does not lead to severe abnormalities in larval PRCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volker Hartenstein
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
| | - Michaela Yuan
- Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstr. 108, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Amelia Younossi-Hartenstein
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Aanavi Karandikar
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | | | - Simon Sprecher
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, 10, Ch. du Musée, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Elisabeth Knust
- Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstr. 108, 01307, Dresden, Germany
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18
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Gong C, Ouyang Z, Zhao W, Wang J, Li K, Zhou P, Zhao T, Zheng N, Gong Z. A Neuronal Pathway that Commands Deceleration in Drosophila Larval Light-Avoidance. Neurosci Bull 2019; 35:959-968. [PMID: 30810958 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-019-00349-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Accepted: 12/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
When facing a sudden danger or aversive condition while engaged in on-going forward motion, animals transiently slow down and make a turn to escape. The neural mechanisms underlying stimulation-induced deceleration in avoidance behavior are largely unknown. Here, we report that in Drosophila larvae, light-induced deceleration was commanded by a continuous neural pathway that included prothoracicotropic hormone neurons, eclosion hormone neurons, and tyrosine decarboxylase 2 motor neurons (the PET pathway). Inhibiting neurons in the PET pathway led to defects in light-avoidance due to insufficient deceleration and head casting. On the other hand, activation of PET pathway neurons specifically caused immediate deceleration in larval locomotion. Our findings reveal a neural substrate for the emergent deceleration response and provide a new understanding of the relationship between behavioral modules in animal avoidance responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caixia Gong
- Department of Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of the Ministry of Health of China, Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Zhenhuan Ouyang
- Qiushi Academy for Advanced Studies, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310007, China
| | - Weiqiao Zhao
- Department of Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of the Ministry of Health of China, Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of the Ministry of Health of China, Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Kun Li
- Department of Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of the Ministry of Health of China, Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Peipei Zhou
- Department of Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of the Ministry of Health of China, Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Ting Zhao
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA, 22011, USA
| | - Nenggan Zheng
- Qiushi Academy for Advanced Studies, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310007, China.
| | - Zhefeng Gong
- Department of Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of the Ministry of Health of China, Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
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19
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Muenzing SEA, Strauch M, Truman JW, Bühler K, Thum AS, Merhof D. larvalign: Aligning Gene Expression Patterns from the Larval Brain of Drosophila melanogaster. Neuroinformatics 2019; 16:65-80. [PMID: 29127664 PMCID: PMC5797188 DOI: 10.1007/s12021-017-9349-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The larval brain of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is a small, tractable model system for neuroscience. Genes for fluorescent marker proteins can be expressed in defined, spatially restricted neuron populations. Here, we introduce the methods for 1) generating a standard template of the larval central nervous system (CNS), 2) spatial mapping of expression patterns from different larvae into a reference space defined by the standard template. We provide a manually annotated gold standard that serves for evaluation of the registration framework involved in template generation and mapping. A method for registration quality assessment enables the automatic detection of registration errors, and a semi-automatic registration method allows one to correct registrations, which is a prerequisite for a high-quality, curated database of expression patterns. All computational methods are available within the larvalign software package: https://github.com/larvalign/larvalign/releases/tag/v1.0
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Affiliation(s)
- Sascha E A Muenzing
- Institute of Imaging & Computer Vision, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.,Forschungszentrum Jülich, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Jülich, Germany
| | - Martin Strauch
- Institute of Imaging & Computer Vision, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - James W Truman
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA, USA.,Friday Harbor Laboratories, University of Washington, Friday Harbor, WA, USA
| | - Katja Bühler
- VRVis Zentrum für Virtual Reality und Visualisierung Forschungs-GmbH, Vienna, Austria
| | - Andreas S Thum
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Constance, Germany.,Zukunftskolleg, University of Konstanz, Constance, Germany.,Department of Genetics, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Dorit Merhof
- Institute of Imaging & Computer Vision, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
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20
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Zhao W, Zhou P, Gong C, Ouyang Z, Wang J, Zheng N, Gong Z. A disinhibitory mechanism biases Drosophila innate light preference. Nat Commun 2019; 10:124. [PMID: 30631066 PMCID: PMC6328558 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07929-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Innate preference toward environmental conditions is crucial for animal survival. Although much is known about the neural processing of sensory information, how the aversive or attractive sensory stimulus is transformed through central brain neurons into avoidance or approaching behavior is largely unclear. Here we show that Drosophila larval light preference behavior is regulated by a disinhibitory mechanism. In the disinhibitory circuit, a pair of GABAergic neurons exerts tonic inhibition on one pair of contralateral projecting neurons that control larval reorientation behavior. When a larva enters the light area, the reorientation-controlling neurons are disinhibited to allow reorientation to occur as the upstream inhibitory neurons are repressed by light. When the larva exits the light area, the inhibition on the downstream neurons is restored to repress further reorientation and thus prevents the larva from re-entering the light area. We suggest that disinhibition may serve as a common neural mechanism for animal innate preference behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiqiao Zhao
- Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
- Department of Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of the Ministry of Health of China, Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
| | - Peipei Zhou
- Department of Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of the Ministry of Health of China, Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
| | - Caixia Gong
- Department of Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of the Ministry of Health of China, Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
| | - Zhenhuan Ouyang
- Qiushi Academy for Advanced Studies, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310007, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
- Department of Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of the Ministry of Health of China, Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
| | - Nenggan Zheng
- Qiushi Academy for Advanced Studies, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310007, China.
| | - Zhefeng Gong
- Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China.
- Department of Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of the Ministry of Health of China, Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China.
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21
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Humberg TH, Bruegger P, Afonso B, Zlatic M, Truman JW, Gershow M, Samuel A, Sprecher SG. Dedicated photoreceptor pathways in Drosophila larvae mediate navigation by processing either spatial or temporal cues. Nat Commun 2018; 9:1260. [PMID: 29593252 PMCID: PMC5871836 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03520-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
To integrate changing environmental cues with high spatial and temporal resolution is critical for animals to orient themselves. Drosophila larvae show an effective motor program to navigate away from light sources. How the larval visual circuit processes light stimuli to control navigational decision remains unknown. The larval visual system is composed of two sensory input channels, Rhodopsin5 (Rh5) and Rhodopsin6 (Rh6) expressing photoreceptors (PRs). We here characterize how spatial and temporal information are used to control navigation. Rh6-PRs are required to perceive temporal changes of light intensity during head casts, while Rh5-PRs are required to control behaviors that allow navigation in response to spatial cues. We characterize how distinct behaviors are modulated and identify parallel acting and converging features of the visual circuit. Functional features of the larval visual circuit highlight the principle of how early in a sensory circuit distinct behaviors may be computed by partly overlapping sensory pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pascal Bruegger
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Bruno Afonso
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, 20147, VA, USA
| | - Marta Zlatic
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, 20147, VA, USA.,Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, Cambridge, UK
| | - James W Truman
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, 20147, VA, USA
| | - Marc Gershow
- Department of Physics and Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, 10003, NY, USA
| | - Aravinthan Samuel
- Department of Physics and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, 02138, MA, USA
| | - Simon G Sprecher
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland.
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22
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Timely trigger of caterpillar zombie behaviour: temporal requirements for light in baculovirus-induced tree-top disease. Parasitology 2017; 145:822-827. [DOI: 10.1017/s0031182017001822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
AbstractHost behavioural manipulation is a common strategy used by parasites to enhance their survival and/or transmission. Baculoviruses induce hyperactivity and tree-top disease (pre-death climbing behaviour) in their caterpillar hosts. However, little is known about the underlying mechanisms of this behavioural manipulation. A previous study showed that the baculovirus Spodoptera exigua multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (SeMNPV) induced tree-top disease at 3 days post infection in third instar S. exigua larvae and that light plays a key role in triggering this behaviour. Here we investigated the temporal requirements for the presence of light to trigger this behaviour and found that light from above was needed between 43 and 50 h post infection to induce tree-top disease. Infected larvae that were not exposed to light from above in this period finally died at low positions. Exposure to light prior to this period did not affect the final positions where larvae died. Overall we conclude that light in a particular time frame is needed to trigger SeMNPV-induced tree-top disease in S. exigua larvae.
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Wietek J, Rodriguez-Rozada S, Tutas J, Tenedini F, Grimm C, Oertner TG, Soba P, Hegemann P, Wiegert JS. Anion-conducting channelrhodopsins with tuned spectra and modified kinetics engineered for optogenetic manipulation of behavior. Sci Rep 2017; 7:14957. [PMID: 29097684 PMCID: PMC5668261 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-14330-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Accepted: 10/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic engineering of natural light-gated ion channels has proven a powerful way to generate optogenetic tools for a wide variety of applications. In recent years, blue-light activated engineered anion-conducting channelrhodopsins (eACRs) have been developed, improved, and were successfully applied in vivo. We asked whether the approaches used to create eACRs can be transferred to other well-characterized cation-conducting channelrhodopsins (CCRs) to obtain eACRs with a broad spectrum of biophysical properties. We generated 22 variants using two conversion strategies applied to 11 CCRs and screened them for membrane expression, photocurrents and anion selectivity. We obtained two novel eACRs, Phobos and Aurora, with blue- and red-shifted action spectra and photocurrents similar to existing eACRs. Furthermore, step-function mutations greatly enhanced the cellular operational light sensitivity due to a slowed-down photocycle. These bi-stable eACRs can be reversibly toggled between open and closed states with brief light pulses of different wavelengths. All new eACRs reliably inhibited action potential firing in pyramidal CA1 neurons. In Drosophila larvae, eACRs conveyed robust and specific light-dependent inhibition of locomotion and nociception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Wietek
- Institute for Biology, Experimental Biophysics, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Invalidenstraße 42, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - Silvia Rodriguez-Rozada
- Research Group Synaptic Wiring and Information Processing, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, Falkenried 94, 20251, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Janine Tutas
- Research Group Neuronal Patterning and Connectivity, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, Falkenried 94, 20251, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Federico Tenedini
- Research Group Neuronal Patterning and Connectivity, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, Falkenried 94, 20251, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christiane Grimm
- Institute for Biology, Experimental Biophysics, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Invalidenstraße 42, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas G Oertner
- Institute for Synaptic Physiology, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, Falkenried 94, 20251, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Peter Soba
- Research Group Neuronal Patterning and Connectivity, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, Falkenried 94, 20251, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Peter Hegemann
- Institute for Biology, Experimental Biophysics, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Invalidenstraße 42, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - J Simon Wiegert
- Institute for Synaptic Physiology, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, Falkenried 94, 20251, Hamburg, Germany.
- Research Group Synaptic Wiring and Information Processing, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, Falkenried 94, 20251, Hamburg, Germany.
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Jarabo P, Martin FA. Neurogenetics of Drosophila circadian clock: expect the unexpected. J Neurogenet 2017; 31:250-265. [DOI: 10.1080/01677063.2017.1370466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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Zhao W, Gong C, Ouyang Z, Wang P, Wang J, Zhou P, Zheng N, Gong Z. Turns with multiple and single head cast mediate Drosophila larval light avoidance. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0181193. [PMID: 28700684 PMCID: PMC5507455 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0181193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 06/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Drosophila larvae exhibit klinotaxis when placed in a gradient of temperature, chemicals, or light. The larva samples environmental stimuli by casting its head from side to side. By comparing the results of two consecutive samples, it decides the direction of movement, appearing as a turn proceeded by one or more head casts. Here by analyzing larval behavior in a light-spot-based phototaxis assay, we showed that, in addition to turns with a single cast (1-cast), turns with multiple head casts (n-cast) helped to improve the success of light avoidance. Upon entering the light spot, the probability of escape from light after the first head cast was only ~30%. As the number of head casts increased, the chance of successful light avoidance increased and the overall chance of escaping from light increased to >70%. The amplitudes of first head casts that failed in light avoidance were significantly smaller in n-cast turns than those in 1-cast events, indicating that n-cast turns might be planned before completion of the first head cast. In n-casts, the amplitude of the second head cast was generally larger than that of the first head cast, suggesting that larvae tried harder in later attempts to improve the efficacy of light avoidance. We propose that both 1-cast turns and n-cast turns contribute to successful larval light avoidance, and both can be initiated at the first head cast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiqiao Zhao
- Department of Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of the Ministry of Health of China, Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Caixia Gong
- Department of Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of the Ministry of Health of China, Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhenhuan Ouyang
- Qiushi Academy for Advanced Studies, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Pengfei Wang
- Qiushi Academy for Advanced Studies, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of the Ministry of Health of China, Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Peipei Zhou
- Department of Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of the Ministry of Health of China, Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Nenggan Zheng
- Qiushi Academy for Advanced Studies, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- * E-mail: (ZFG); (NGZ)
| | - Zhefeng Gong
- Department of Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of the Ministry of Health of China, Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- * E-mail: (ZFG); (NGZ)
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Almeida-Carvalho MJ, Berh D, Braun A, Chen YC, Eichler K, Eschbach C, Fritsch PMJ, Gerber B, Hoyer N, Jiang X, Kleber J, Klämbt C, König C, Louis M, Michels B, Miroschnikow A, Mirth C, Miura D, Niewalda T, Otto N, Paisios E, Pankratz MJ, Petersen M, Ramsperger N, Randel N, Risse B, Saumweber T, Schlegel P, Schleyer M, Soba P, Sprecher SG, Tanimura T, Thum AS, Toshima N, Truman JW, Yarali A, Zlatic M. The Ol1mpiad: concordance of behavioural faculties of stage 1 and stage 3 Drosophila larvae. J Exp Biol 2017; 220:2452-2475. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.156646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 05/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Mapping brain function to brain structure is a fundamental task for neuroscience. For such an endeavour, the Drosophila larva is simple enough to be tractable, yet complex enough to be interesting. It features about 10,000 neurons and is capable of various taxes, kineses and Pavlovian conditioning. All its neurons are currently being mapped into a light-microscopical atlas, and Gal4 strains are being generated to experimentally access neurons one at a time. In addition, an electron microscopic reconstruction of its nervous system seems within reach. Notably, this electron microscope-based connectome is being drafted for a stage 1 larva – because stage 1 larvae are much smaller than stage 3 larvae. However, most behaviour analyses have been performed for stage 3 larvae because their larger size makes them easier to handle and observe. It is therefore warranted to either redo the electron microscopic reconstruction for a stage 3 larva or to survey the behavioural faculties of stage 1 larvae. We provide the latter. In a community-based approach we called the Ol1mpiad, we probed stage 1 Drosophila larvae for free locomotion, feeding, responsiveness to substrate vibration, gentle and nociceptive touch, burrowing, olfactory preference and thermotaxis, light avoidance, gustatory choice of various tastants plus odour–taste associative learning, as well as light/dark–electric shock associative learning. Quantitatively, stage 1 larvae show lower scores in most tasks, arguably because of their smaller size and lower speed. Qualitatively, however, stage 1 larvae perform strikingly similar to stage 3 larvae in almost all cases. These results bolster confidence in mapping brain structure and behaviour across developmental stages.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dimitri Berh
- Institute of Neurobiology and Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Andreas Braun
- EMBL/CRG Systems Biology Unit, Centre for Genomic Regulation, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Yi-chun Chen
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (Genetics), 39118 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Eichler
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - Claire Eschbach
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | | | - Bertram Gerber
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (Genetics), 39118 Magdeburg, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, 39118 Magdeburg, Germany
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Nina Hoyer
- Center for Molecular Neurobiology, University of Hamburg, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Xiaoyi Jiang
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Jörg Kleber
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (Genetics), 39118 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Christian Klämbt
- Institute of Neurobiology and Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Christian König
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (Molecular Systems Biology), 39118 Magdeburg, Germany
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, 39118 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Matthieu Louis
- EMBL/CRG Systems Biology Unit, Centre for Genomic Regulation, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93117, USA
| | - Birgit Michels
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (Genetics), 39118 Magdeburg, Germany
| | | | - Christen Mirth
- Gulbenkian Institute of Science, 2780-156 Oeiras, Portugal
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Daisuke Miura
- Department of Biology, Kyushu University, 819-0395 Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Thomas Niewalda
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (Genetics), 39118 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Nils Otto
- Institute of Neurobiology and Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Emmanouil Paisios
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (Genetics), 39118 Magdeburg, Germany
| | | | - Meike Petersen
- Center for Molecular Neurobiology, University of Hamburg, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Noel Ramsperger
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, 78464 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Nadine Randel
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - Benjamin Risse
- Institute of Neurobiology and Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Timo Saumweber
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (Genetics), 39118 Magdeburg, Germany
| | | | - Michael Schleyer
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (Genetics), 39118 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Peter Soba
- Center for Molecular Neurobiology, University of Hamburg, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Simon G. Sprecher
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Teiichi Tanimura
- Department of Biology, Kyushu University, 819-0395 Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Andreas S. Thum
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, 78464 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Naoko Toshima
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (Genetics), 39118 Magdeburg, Germany
- Department of Biology, Kyushu University, 819-0395 Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Jim W. Truman
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
- Friday Harbor Laboratories, University of Washington, Friday Harbor, WA 98250, USA
| | - Ayse Yarali
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (Molecular Systems Biology), 39118 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Marta Zlatic
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
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27
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Michels B, Saumweber T, Biernacki R, Thum J, Glasgow RDV, Schleyer M, Chen YC, Eschbach C, Stocker RF, Toshima N, Tanimura T, Louis M, Arias-Gil G, Marescotti M, Benfenati F, Gerber B. Pavlovian Conditioning of Larval Drosophila: An Illustrated, Multilingual, Hands-On Manual for Odor-Taste Associative Learning in Maggots. Front Behav Neurosci 2017; 11:45. [PMID: 28469564 PMCID: PMC5395560 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2017.00045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Larval Drosophila offer a study case for behavioral neurogenetics that is simple enough to be experimentally tractable, yet complex enough to be worth the effort. We provide a detailed, hands-on manual for Pavlovian odor-reward learning in these animals. Given the versatility of Drosophila for genetic analyses, combined with the evolutionarily shared genetic heritage with humans, the paradigm has utility not only in behavioral neurogenetics and experimental psychology, but for translational biomedicine as well. Together with the upcoming total synaptic connectome of the Drosophila nervous system and the possibilities of single-cell-specific transgene expression, it offers enticing opportunities for research. Indeed, the paradigm has already been adopted by a number of labs and is robust enough to be used for teaching in classroom settings. This has given rise to a demand for a detailed, hands-on manual directed at newcomers and/or at laboratory novices, and this is what we here provide. The paradigm and the present manual have a unique set of features: The present manual can thus foster science education at an earlier age and enable research by a broader community than has been the case to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgit Michels
- Department of Genetics, Leibniz Institute for NeurobiologyMagdeburg, Germany
| | - Timo Saumweber
- Department of Genetics, Leibniz Institute for NeurobiologyMagdeburg, Germany
| | - Roland Biernacki
- Department Neurobiology and Genetics, Julius Maximilians UniversityWürzburg, Germany
| | - Jeanette Thum
- Department Neurobiology and Genetics, Julius Maximilians UniversityWürzburg, Germany
| | - Rupert D V Glasgow
- Department of Genetics, Leibniz Institute for NeurobiologyMagdeburg, Germany
| | - Michael Schleyer
- Department of Genetics, Leibniz Institute for NeurobiologyMagdeburg, Germany
| | - Yi-Chun Chen
- Department of Genetics, Leibniz Institute for NeurobiologyMagdeburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Naoko Toshima
- Department of Genetics, Leibniz Institute for NeurobiologyMagdeburg, Germany
| | | | - Matthieu Louis
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Gonzalo Arias-Gil
- Department Systems Physiology, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology MagdeburgMagdeburg, Germany
| | | | - Fabio Benfenati
- Italian Institute of Technology, Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and TechnologyGenova, Italy
| | - Bertram Gerber
- Department of Genetics, Leibniz Institute for NeurobiologyMagdeburg, Germany.,Institute of Biology, Otto von Guericke UniversityMagdeburg, Germany.,Center for Behavioral Brain SciencesMagdeburg, Germany
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28
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Fluorescence circadian imaging reveals a PDF-dependent transcriptional regulation of the Drosophila molecular clock. Sci Rep 2017; 7:41560. [PMID: 28134281 PMCID: PMC5278502 DOI: 10.1038/srep41560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Circadian locomotor behaviour is controlled by a pacemaker circuit composed of clock-containing neurons. To interrogate the mechanistic relationship between the molecular clockwork and network communication critical to the operation of the Drosophila circadian pacemaker circuit, we established new fluorescent circadian reporters that permit single-cell recording of transcriptional and post-transcriptional rhythms in brain explants and cultured neurons. Live-imaging experiments combined with pharmacological and genetic manipulations demonstrate that the neuropeptide pigment-dispersing factor (PDF) amplifies the molecular rhythms via time-of-day- and activity-dependent upregulation of transcription from E-box-containing clock gene promoters within key pacemaker neurons. The effect of PDF on clock gene transcription and the known role of PDF in enhancing PER/TIM stability occur via independent pathways downstream of the PDF receptor, the former through a cAMP-independent mechanism and the latter through a cAMP-PKA dependent mechanism. These results confirm and extend the mechanistic understanding of the role of PDF in controlling the synchrony of the pacemaker neurons. More broadly, our results establish the utility of the new live-imaging tools for the study of molecular-neural interactions important for the operation of the circadian pacemaker circuit.
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Kohsaka H, Guertin PA, Nose A. Neural Circuits Underlying Fly Larval Locomotion. Curr Pharm Des 2017; 23:1722-1733. [PMID: 27928962 PMCID: PMC5470056 DOI: 10.2174/1381612822666161208120835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Locomotion is a complex motor behavior that may be expressed in different ways using a variety of strategies depending upon species and pathological or environmental conditions. Quadrupedal or bipedal walking, running, swimming, flying and gliding constitute some of the locomotor modes enabling the body, in all cases, to move from one place to another. Despite these apparent differences in modes of locomotion, both vertebrate and invertebrate species share, at least in part, comparable neural control mechanisms for locomotor rhythm and pattern generation and modulation. Significant advances have been made in recent years in studies of the genetic aspects of these control systems. Findings made specifically using Drosophila (fruit fly) models and preparations have contributed to further understanding of the key role of genes in locomotion. This review focuses on some of the main findings made in larval fruit flies while briefly summarizing the basic advantages of using this powerful animal model for studying the neural locomotor system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Kohsaka
- Department of Complexity Science and Engineering, University of Tokyo, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8561, Japan
| | - Pierre A. Guertin
- Department of Psychiatry & Neurosciences, Laval University, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Akinao Nose
- Department of Complexity Science and Engineering, University of Tokyo, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8561, Japan
- Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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30
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Substrate choice by ovipositing mothers and consequent hatchling behaviour: the exploration sharing hypothesis. Anim Behav 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2016.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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31
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Interactions among Drosophila larvae before and during collision. Sci Rep 2016; 6:31564. [PMID: 27511760 PMCID: PMC4980675 DOI: 10.1038/srep31564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In populations of Drosophila larvae, both, an aggregation and a dispersal behavior can be observed. However, the mechanisms coordinating larval locomotion in respect to other animals, especially in close proximity and during/after physical contacts are currently only little understood. Here we test whether relevant information is perceived before or during larva-larva contacts, analyze its influence on behavior and ask whether larvae avoid or pursue collisions. Employing frustrated total internal reflection-based imaging (FIM) we first found that larvae visually detect other moving larvae in a narrow perceptive field and respond with characteristic escape reactions. To decipher larval locomotion not only before but also during the collision we utilized a two color FIM approach (FIM2c), which allowed to faithfully extract the posture and motion of colliding animals. We show that during collision, larval locomotion freezes and sensory information is sampled during a KISS phase (german: Kollisions Induziertes Stopp Syndrom or english: collision induced stop syndrome). Interestingly, larvae react differently to living, dead or artificial larvae, discriminate other Drosophila species and have an increased bending probability for a short period after the collision terminates. Thus, Drosophila larvae evolved means to specify behaviors in response to other larvae.
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32
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Risse B, Otto N, Berh D, Kiel M, Klambt C. FIM$^{2c\;}$: Multicolor, Multipurpose Imaging System to Manipulate and Analyze Animal Behavior. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2016; 64:610-620. [PMID: 28113210 DOI: 10.1109/tbme.2016.2570598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
In vivo whole-body imaging of small animals plays an important role for biomedical studies. In particular, animals like the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster or the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans are popular model organisms for preclinical research since they offer sophisticated genetic tool-kits. Recording these translucent animals with high contrast in a large arena is however not trivial. Furthermore, fluorescent proteins are widely used to mark cells in vivo and report their functions. This paper introduces a novel optical imaging technique called FIM2c enabling simultaneous detection of the animals posture and movement as well as fluorescent markers like green fluorescent protein (GFP). FIM2c utilizes frustrated total internal reflection of two distinct wavelengths and captures both, reflected and emitted light. The resultant two-color high-contrast images are superb compared to other imaging systems for larvae or worms. This multipurpose method enables a large variety of different experimental approaches. For example, FIM2c can be used to image GFP positive cells/tissues/animals and supports the integration of fluorescent tracers into multitarget tracking paradigms. Moreover, optogenetic tools can be applied in large-scale behavioral analysis to manipulate and study neuronal functions. To demonstrate the benefit of our system, we use FIM2c to resolve colliding larvae in a high-throughput approach, which was impossible given the existing tools. Finally, we present a comprehensive database including images and locomotion features of more than 1300 resolved collisions available for the community. In conclusion, FIM2c is a versatile tool for advanced imaging and locomotion analysis for a variety of different model organisms.
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33
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Calvo P, Baluška F. Conditions for minimal intelligence across eukaryota: a cognitive science perspective. Front Psychol 2015; 6:1329. [PMID: 26388822 PMCID: PMC4558474 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2015] [Accepted: 08/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Paco Calvo
- MINT Lab, Department of Philosophy, University of Murcia Murcia, Spain
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34
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Visual attraction in Drosophila larvae develops during a critical period and is modulated by crowding conditions. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2015; 201:1019-27. [DOI: 10.1007/s00359-015-1034-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2015] [Revised: 07/28/2015] [Accepted: 08/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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35
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Gepner R, Mihovilovic Skanata M, Bernat NM, Kaplow M, Gershow M. Computations underlying Drosophila photo-taxis, odor-taxis, and multi-sensory integration. eLife 2015; 4. [PMID: 25945916 PMCID: PMC4466338 DOI: 10.7554/elife.06229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2014] [Accepted: 05/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
To better understand how organisms make decisions on the basis of temporally varying multi-sensory input, we identified computations made by Drosophila larvae responding to visual and optogenetically induced fictive olfactory stimuli. We modeled the larva's navigational decision to initiate turns as the output of a Linear-Nonlinear-Poisson cascade. We used reverse-correlation to fit parameters to this model; the parameterized model predicted larvae's responses to novel stimulus patterns. For multi-modal inputs, we found that larvae linearly combine olfactory and visual signals upstream of the decision to turn. We verified this prediction by measuring larvae's responses to coordinated changes in odor and light. We studied other navigational decisions and found that larvae integrated odor and light according to the same rule in all cases. These results suggest that photo-taxis and odor-taxis are mediated by a shared computational pathway. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.06229.001 Living organisms can sense cues from their surroundings and respond in appropriate ways. For example, animals will often move towards the smell of food or away from potential threats, such as predators. However, it is not fully understood how an animal's nervous system is set up to allow sensory information to control how the animal navigates its environment. It is also not clear how animals ‘decide’ what to do when they receive conflicting information from different senses. Optogenetics is a technique that allows neuroscientists to control the activities of individual nerve cells simply by shining light on to them. Fruit fly larvae have a simple but well-studied nervous system, and they are nearly transparent, so scientists can use optogenetics to activate nerve cells in freely moving larvae. Fruit fly larvae move in a series of forward ‘runs’ and direction-changing ‘turns’ and use sensory cues to decide when to turn, how large of a turn to make, and whether to turn left or right. Gepner, Mihovilovic Skanata et al. used optogenetics to stimulate different combinations of sensory nerve cells in larvae, while tracking the larvae's movements to discover exactly what information they used to make these decisions. An independent study by Hernandez-Nunez et al. also used a similar approach. Fruit fly larvae are attracted towards scents from rotting fruit and are repelled by light—in particular, larvae are most sensitive to blue light but cannot detect red light. Therefore, Gepner, Mihovilovic Skanata et al. could expose the larvae to blue light to activate light-sensing nerve cells as normal, and use red light to activate odor-sensing nerve cells via optogenetics. These experiments showed that larvae changed direction more often when the level of blue light was increased or when the level of red light (which simulated the detection of odors from rotting fruits) was decreased. Analysis of the data from these experiments revealed that larvae essentially assign negative values to the blue light and positive values to the ‘odor-mimicking’ red light. The larvae then use the sum of these two values to dictate their next move. This suggests that navigation in response to both light and odors is supported by the same pathways in a larva's nervous system. The approach of using optogenetics in combination with quantitative analysis, as used in these two independent studies, is now opening the door to a more complete understanding of the connections between the activities of sensory nerve cells and perception and behavior. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.06229.002
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben Gepner
- Department of Physics, New York University, New York, United States
| | | | - Natalie M Bernat
- Department of Physics, New York University, New York, United States
| | - Margarita Kaplow
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, United States
| | - Marc Gershow
- Department of Physics, New York University, New York, United States
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Hernandez-Nunez L, Belina J, Klein M, Si G, Claus L, Carlson JR, Samuel AD. Reverse-correlation analysis of navigation dynamics in Drosophila larva using optogenetics. eLife 2015; 4. [PMID: 25942453 PMCID: PMC4466337 DOI: 10.7554/elife.06225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2014] [Accepted: 05/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural circuits for behavior transform sensory inputs into motor outputs in patterns with strategic value. Determining how neurons along a sensorimotor circuit contribute to this transformation is central to understanding behavior. To do this, a quantitative framework to describe behavioral dynamics is needed. In this study, we built a high-throughput optogenetic system for Drosophila larva to quantify the sensorimotor transformations underlying navigational behavior. We express CsChrimson, a red-shifted variant of channelrhodopsin, in specific chemosensory neurons and expose large numbers of freely moving animals to random optogenetic activation patterns. We quantify their behavioral responses and use reverse-correlation analysis to uncover the linear and static nonlinear components of navigation dynamics as functions of optogenetic activation patterns of specific sensory neurons. We find that linear–nonlinear models accurately predict navigational decision-making for different optogenetic activation waveforms. We use our method to establish the valence and dynamics of navigation driven by optogenetic activation of different combinations of bitter-sensing gustatory neurons. Our method captures the dynamics of optogenetically induced behavior in compact, quantitative transformations that can be used to characterize circuits for sensorimotor processing and their contribution to navigational decision making. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.06225.001 Living organisms can sense their surroundings and respond in appropriate ways. For example, animals will often move towards the smell of food or away from potential threats, such as predators. However, it is not fully understood how an animal's nervous system is setup to allow sensory information to control how the animal navigates its environment. Optogenetics is a technique that allows neuroscientists to control the activities of individual nerve cells in freely moving animals, simply by shining light on to them. Here, Hernandez-Nunez et al. have used optogenetics in fruit fly larvae to activate nerve cells that normally respond to smells and tastes, while the larvae's movements were tracked. Fruit fly larvae were chosen because they have a simple, but well-studied, nervous system. These larvae also move in two distinct ways: ‘runs’, in which a larva moves forward; and ‘turns’, during which a larva sweeps its head back and forth until it selects the direction of a new run. The data from these experiments were quantified using a specific type of statistical analysis called ‘reverse correlation’ and used to build mathematical models that predict navigational behavior. This analysis of the experiments allowed Hernandez-Nunez et al. to reveal how specific sensory nerve cells can contribute to pathways that control an animal's navigation—and an independent study by Gepner, Mihovilovic Skanata et al. revealed similar results. The approach of using optogenetics in combination with quantitative analysis, as used in these two independent studies, is now opening the door to a more complete understanding of the connections between the activity of sensory nerve cells and perception and behavior. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.06225.002
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jonas Belina
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, United States
| | - Mason Klein
- Department of Physics and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States
| | - Guangwei Si
- Department of Physics and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States
| | - Lindsey Claus
- Department of Physics and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States
| | - John R Carlson
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, United States
| | - Aravinthan Dt Samuel
- Department of Physics and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States
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37
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Carvalho MJA, Mirth CK. Coordinating morphology with behavior during development: an integrative approach from a fly perspective. Front Ecol Evol 2015. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2015.00005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Yokawa K, Baluška F. C. elegans and Arabidopsis thaliana show similar behavior: ROS induce escape tropisms both in illuminated nematodes and roots. PLANT SIGNALING & BEHAVIOR 2015; 10:e1073870. [PMID: 26517053 PMCID: PMC4883826 DOI: 10.1080/15592324.2015.1073870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2015] [Accepted: 07/13/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ken Yokawa
- IZMB; University of Bonn; Bonn, Germany
- Department of Biological Sciences; Tokyo Metropolitan University; Tokyo, Japan
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39
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Abstract
Genetic manipulations of neuronal activity are a cornerstone of studies aimed to identify the functional impact of defined neurons for animal behavior. With its small nervous system, rapid life cycle, and genetic amenability, the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster provides an attractive model system to study neuronal circuit function. In the past two decades, a large repertoire of elegant genetic tools has been developed to manipulate and study neural circuits in the fruit fly. Current techniques allow genetic ablation, constitutive silencing, or hyperactivation of neuronal activity and also include conditional thermogenetic or optogenetic activation or inhibition. As for all genetic techniques, the choice of the proper transgenic tool is essential for behavioral studies. Potency and impact of effectors may vary in distinct neuron types or distinct types of behavior. We here systematically test genetic effectors for their potency to alter the behavior of Drosophila larvae, using two distinct behavioral paradigms: general locomotor activity and directed, visually guided navigation. Our results show largely similar but not equal effects with different effector lines in both assays. Interestingly, differences in the magnitude of induced behavioral alterations between different effector lines remain largely consistent between the two behavioral assays. The observed potencies of the effector lines in aminergic and cholinergic neurons assessed here may help researchers to choose the best-suited genetic tools to dissect neuronal networks underlying the behavior of larval fruit flies.
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40
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Risse B, Berh D, Otto N, Jiang X, Klämbt C. Quantifying subtle locomotion phenotypes of Drosophila larvae using internal structures based on FIM images. Comput Biol Med 2014; 63:269-76. [PMID: 25280919 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2014.08.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2014] [Revised: 08/26/2014] [Accepted: 08/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Quantitative analysis of behavioral traits requires precise image acquisition and sophisticated image analysis to detect subtle locomotion phenotypes. In the past, we have established Frustrated Total Internal Reflection (FTIR) to improve the measurability of small animals like insects. This FTIR-based Imaging Method (FIM) results in an excellent foreground/background contrast and even internal organs and other structures are visible without any complicated imaging or labeling techniques. For example, the trachea and muscle organizations are detectable in FIM images. Here these morphological details are incorporated into phenotyping by performing cluster analysis using histogram-based statistics for the first time. We demonstrate that FIM enables the precise quantification of locomotion features namely rolling behavior or muscle contractions. Both were impossible to quantify automatically before. This approach extends the range of FIM applications by enabling advanced automatic phenotyping for particular locomotion patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Risse
- Department of Computer Science, University of Münster, Einsteinstr. 62, 48149 Münster, Germany; Institute of Neuro and Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Badestr. 9, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Dimitri Berh
- Department of Computer Science, University of Münster, Einsteinstr. 62, 48149 Münster, Germany; Institute of Neuro and Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Badestr. 9, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Nils Otto
- Institute of Neuro and Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Badestr. 9, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Xiaoyi Jiang
- Department of Computer Science, University of Münster, Einsteinstr. 62, 48149 Münster, Germany; Cluster of Excellence EXC 1003, Cells in Motion, CiM, Münster, Germany.
| | - Christian Klämbt
- Institute of Neuro and Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Badestr. 9, 48149 Münster, Germany; Cluster of Excellence EXC 1003, Cells in Motion, CiM, Münster, Germany
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41
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Elliott TS, Townsley FM, Bianco A, Ernst RJ, Sachdeva A, Elsässer SJ, Davis L, Lang K, Pisa R, Greiss S, Lilley KS, Chin JW. Proteome labeling and protein identification in specific tissues and at specific developmental stages in an animal. Nat Biotechnol 2014; 32:465-72. [PMID: 24727715 PMCID: PMC4107302 DOI: 10.1038/nbt.2860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2013] [Accepted: 02/26/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Identifying the proteins synthesized at specific times in cells of interest in an animal will facilitate the study of cellular functions and dynamic processes. Here we introduce stochastic orthogonal recoding of translation with chemoselective modification (SORT-M) to address this challenge. SORT-M involves modifying cells to express an orthogonal aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase/tRNA pair to enable the incorporation of chemically modifiable analogs of amino acids at diverse sense codons in cells in rich media. We apply SORT-M to Drosophila melanogaster fed standard food to label and image proteins in specific tissues at precise developmental stages with diverse chemistries, including cyclopropene-tetrazine inverse electron demand Diels-Alder cycloaddition reactions. We also use SORT-M to identify proteins synthesized in germ cells of the fly ovary without dissection. SORT-M will facilitate the definition of proteins synthesized in specific sets of cells to study development, and learning and memory in flies, and may be extended to other animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas S Elliott
- 1] Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, England, UK. [2]
| | - Fiona M Townsley
- 1] Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, England, UK. [2]
| | - Ambra Bianco
- 1] Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, England, UK. [2]
| | - Russell J Ernst
- Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, England, UK
| | - Amit Sachdeva
- Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, England, UK
| | - Simon J Elsässer
- Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, England, UK
| | - Lloyd Davis
- Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, England, UK
| | - Kathrin Lang
- Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, England, UK
| | - Rudolf Pisa
- 1] Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, England, UK. [2] Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England, UK
| | - Sebastian Greiss
- Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, England, UK
| | - Kathryn S Lilley
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England, UK
| | - Jason W Chin
- 1] Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, England, UK. [2] Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England, UK
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Mishra AK, Tsachaki M, Rister J, Ng J, Celik A, Sprecher SG. Binary cell fate decisions and fate transformation in the Drosophila larval eye. PLoS Genet 2013; 9:e1004027. [PMID: 24385925 PMCID: PMC3873242 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1004027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2013] [Accepted: 10/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The functionality of sensory neurons is defined by the expression of specific sensory receptor genes. During the development of the Drosophila larval eye, photoreceptor neurons (PRs) make a binary choice to express either the blue-sensitive Rhodopsin 5 (Rh5) or the green-sensitive Rhodopsin 6 (Rh6). Later during metamorphosis, ecdysone signaling induces a cell fate and sensory receptor switch: Rh5-PRs are re-programmed to express Rh6 and become the eyelet, a small group of extraretinal PRs involved in circadian entrainment. However, the genetic and molecular mechanisms of how the binary cell fate decisions are made and switched remain poorly understood. We show that interplay of two transcription factors Senseless (Sens) and Hazy control cell fate decisions, terminal differentiation of the larval eye and its transformation into eyelet. During initial differentiation, a pulse of Sens expression in primary precursors regulates their differentiation into Rh5-PRs and repression of an alternative Rh6-cell fate. Later, during the transformation of the larval eye into the adult eyelet, Sens serves as an anti-apoptotic factor in Rh5-PRs, which helps in promoting survival of Rh5-PRs during metamorphosis and is subsequently required for Rh6 expression. Comparably, during PR differentiation Hazy functions in initiation and maintenance of rhodopsin expression. Hazy represses Sens specifically in the Rh6-PRs, allowing them to die during metamorphosis. Our findings show that the same transcription factors regulate diverse aspects of larval and adult PR development at different stages and in a context-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Kumar Mishra
- Institute of Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Maria Tsachaki
- Institute of Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Jens Rister
- Center for Developmental Genetics, Department of Biology, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - June Ng
- Center for Developmental Genetics, Department of Biology, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Arzu Celik
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Bogazici University, Bebek, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Simon G. Sprecher
- Institute of Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
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43
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Yamanaka N, Romero NM, Martin FA, Rewitz KF, Sun M, O'Connor MB, Léopold P. Neuroendocrine control of Drosophila larval light preference. Science 2013; 341:1113-6. [PMID: 24009394 DOI: 10.1126/science.1241210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Animal development is coupled with innate behaviors that maximize chances of survival. Here, we show that the prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH), a neuropeptide that controls the developmental transition from juvenile stage to sexual maturation, also regulates light avoidance in Drosophila melanogaster larvae. PTTH, through its receptor Torso, acts on two light sensors--the Bolwig's organ and the peripheral class IV dendritic arborization neurons--to regulate light avoidance. We found that PTTH concomitantly promotes steroidogenesis and light avoidance at the end of larval stage, driving animals toward a darker environment to initiate the immobile maturation phase. Thus, PTTH controls the decisions of when and where animals undergo metamorphosis, optimizing conditions for adult development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Yamanaka
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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44
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Abstract
The avoidance of light by fly larvae is a classic paradigm for sensorimotor behavior. Here, we use behavioral assays and video microscopy to quantify the sensorimotor structure of phototaxis using the Drosophila larva. Larval locomotion is composed of sequences of runs (periods of forward movement) that are interrupted by abrupt turns, during which the larva pauses and sweeps its head back and forth, probing local light information to determine the direction of the successive run. All phototactic responses are mediated by the same set of sensorimotor transformations that require temporal processing of sensory inputs. Through functional imaging and genetic inactivation of specific neurons downstream of the sensory periphery, we have begun to map these sensorimotor circuits into the larval central brain. We find that specific sensorimotor pathways that govern distinct light-evoked responses begin to segregate at the first relay after the photosensory neurons.
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45
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Durisko Z, Dukas R. Attraction to and learning from social cues in fruitfly larvae. Proc Biol Sci 2013; 280:20131398. [PMID: 23902906 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2013.1398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We examined the use of social information in fruitfly larvae, which represent an ideal model system owing to their robust learning abilities, small number of neurons and well-studied neurogenetics. Focal larvae showed attraction to the distinct odour emanating from food occupied by other larvae. In controlled learning experiments, focal larvae preferred novel odours previously paired with food occupied by other larvae over novel odours previously paired with unoccupied food. When we gave groups of larvae a choice between food patches differing in quality, more larvae aggregated on the higher-quality food, suggesting that attraction to and learning about cues associated with other larvae can be beneficial. Furthermore, larvae were more likely to find the best available food patch in trials when that food patch was occupied by other larvae than in trials when that food patch was unoccupied. Our data suggest, however, that the benefits from joining others may be at least partially offset by the fitness costs of increased competition, because larvae reared in isolation did as well as or better than larvae reared in groups on three key fitness parameters: developmental rate, survival rate and adult dry body mass. Our work establishes fruitfly larvae as a highly tractable model species for further research on the mechanisms that modulate behaviour and learning in a social context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Durisko
- Animal Behaviour Group, Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University, 1280 Main St. West, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4K1.
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46
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Lin C, Strausfeld NJ. A precocious adult visual center in the larva defines the unique optic lobe of the split-eyed whirligig beetle Dineutus sublineatus. Front Zool 2013; 10:7. [PMID: 23421712 PMCID: PMC3607853 DOI: 10.1186/1742-9994-10-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2012] [Accepted: 02/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Whirligig beetles (Coleoptera: Gyrinidae) are aquatic insects living on the water surface. They are equipped with four compound eyes, an upper pair viewing above the water surface and a lower submerged pair viewing beneath the water surface, but little is known about how their visual brain centers (optic lobes) are organized to serve such unusual eyes. We show here, for the first time, the peculiar optic lobe organization of the larval and adult whirligig beetle Dineutus sublineatus. Results The divided compound eyes of adult whirligig beetles supply optic lobes that are split into two halves, an upper half and lower half, comprising an upper and lower lamina, an upper and lower medulla and a bilobed partially split lobula. However, the lobula plate, a neuropil that in flies is known to be involved in mediating stabilized flight, exists only in conjunction with the lower lobe of the lobula. We show that, as in another group of predatory beetle larvae, in the whirligig beetle the aquatic larva precociously develops a lobula plate equipped with wide-field neurons. It is supplied by three larval laminas serving the three dorsal larval stemmata, which are adjacent to the developing upper compound eye. Conclusions In adult whirligig beetles, dual optic neuropils serve the upper aerial eyes and the lower subaquatic eyes. The exception is the lobula plate. A lobula plate develops precociously in the larva where it is supplied by inputs from three larval stemmata that have a frontal-upper field of view, in which contrasting objects such as prey items trigger a body lunge and mandibular grasp. This precocious lobula plate is lost during pupal metamorphosis, whereas another lobula plate develops normally during metamorphosis and in the adult is associated with the lower eye. The different roles of the upper and lower lobula plates in supporting, respectively, larval predation and adult optokinetic balance are discussed. Precocious development of the upper lobula plate represents convergent evolution of an ambush hunting lifestyle, as exemplified by the terrestrial larvae of tiger beetles (Cicindelinae), in which activation of neurons in their precocious lobula plates, each serving two large larval stemmata, releases reflex body extension and mandibular grasp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chan Lin
- Graduate Interdisciplinary Program in Entomology & Insect Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA.
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47
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Risse B, Thomas S, Otto N, Löpmeier T, Valkov D, Jiang X, Klämbt C. FIM, a novel FTIR-based imaging method for high throughput locomotion analysis. PLoS One 2013; 8:e53963. [PMID: 23349775 PMCID: PMC3549958 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0053963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2012] [Accepted: 12/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We designed a novel imaging technique based on frustrated total internal reflection (FTIR) to obtain high resolution and high contrast movies. This FTIR-based Imaging Method (FIM) is suitable for a wide range of biological applications and a wide range of organisms. It operates at all wavelengths permitting the in vivo detection of fluorescent proteins. To demonstrate the benefits of FIM, we analyzed large groups of crawling Drosophila larvae. The number of analyzable locomotion tracks was increased by implementing a new software module capable of preserving larval identity during most collision events. This module is integrated in our new tracking program named FIMTrack which subsequently extracts a number of features required for the analysis of complex locomotion phenotypes. FIM enables high throughput screening for even subtle behavioral phenotypes. We tested this newly developed setup by analyzing locomotion deficits caused by the glial knockdown of several genes. Suppression of kinesin heavy chain (khc) or rab30 function led to contraction pattern or head sweeping defects, which escaped in previous analysis. Thus, FIM permits forward genetic screens aimed to unravel the neural basis of behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Risse
- Institute for Neurobiology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- Institute for Computer Science, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Silke Thomas
- Institute for Neurobiology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Nils Otto
- Institute for Neurobiology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Tim Löpmeier
- Institute for Computer Science, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Dimitar Valkov
- Institute for Computer Science, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Xiaoyi Jiang
- Institute for Computer Science, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Christian Klämbt
- Institute for Neurobiology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- * E-mail:
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48
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Kohsaka H, Okusawa S, Itakura Y, Fushiki A, Nose A. Development of larval motor circuits in Drosophila. Dev Growth Differ 2012; 54:408-19. [PMID: 22524610 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-169x.2012.01347.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
How are functional neural circuits formed during development? Despite recent advances in our understanding of the development of individual neurons, little is known about how complex circuits are assembled to generate specific behaviors. Here, we describe the ways in which Drosophila motor circuits serve as an excellent model system to tackle this problem. We first summarize what has been learned during the past decades on the connectivity and development of component neurons, in particular motor neurons and sensory feedback neurons. We then review recent progress in our understanding of the development of the circuits as well as studies that apply optogenetics and other innovative techniques to dissect the circuit diagram. New approaches using Drosophila as a model system are now making it possible to search for developmental rules that regulate the construction of neural circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Kohsaka
- Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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49
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Gong Z, Gong Z. A molecular diffusion based utility model for Drosophila larval phototaxis. Theor Biol Med Model 2012; 9:3. [PMID: 22300450 PMCID: PMC3395815 DOI: 10.1186/1742-4682-9-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2011] [Accepted: 02/02/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Generally, utility based decision making models focus on experimental outcomes. In this paper we propose a utility model based on molecular diffusion to simulate the choice behavior of Drosophila larvae exposed to different light conditions. Methods In this paper, light/dark choice-based Drosophila larval phototaxis is analyzed with our molecular diffusion based model. An ISCEM algorithm is developed to estimate the model parameters. Results By applying this behavioral utility model to light intensity and phototaxis data, we show that this model fits the experimental data very well. Conclusions Our model provides new insights into decision making mechanisms in general. From an engineering viewpoint, we propose that the model could be applied to a wider range of decision making practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhejun Gong
- College of Logistics Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, China, 430073.
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