Morphological Characterization of the Entire Interneuron Population Reveals Principles of Neuromere Organization in the Ventral Nerve Cord of<i>Drosophila</i>

Rickert, Christof; Kunz, Thomas; Harris, Kerri‐Lee; Whitington, Paul M.; Technau, Gerhard M.

doi:10.1523/jneurosci.4009-11.2011

Cited by 39 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 46 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…ey>GFP-positive -neurons were identified under an Olympus fluorescence microscope equipped with a 60ϫ water-immersion objective. Single -neurons were labeled using a glass capillary filled with 1 mg/ml DiI/ethanol that was brought into contact with a cell body and a depolarizing current applied for up to 1 minute [according to Rickert et al (Rickert et al, 2011)]. Brains were again fixed, and labeled single cells documented as described above.…”

Section: Labeling Of Single Postmitotic Cellsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Origin ofDrosophilamushroom body neuroblasts and generation of divergent embryonic lineages

et al. 2012

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Key to understanding the mechanisms that underlie the specification of divergent cell types in the brain is knowledge about the neurectodermal origin and lineages of their stem cells. Here, we focus on the origin and embryonic development of the four neuroblasts (NBs) per hemisphere in Drosophila that give rise to the mushroom bodies (MBs), which are central brain structures essential for olfactory learning and memory. We show that these MBNBs originate from a single field of proneural gene expression within a specific mitotic domain of procephalic neuroectoderm, and that Notch signaling is not needed for their formation. Subsequently, each MBNB occupies a distinct position in the developing MB cortex and expresses a specific combination of transcription factors by which they are individually identifiable in the brain NB map. During embryonic development each MBNB generates an individual cell lineage comprising different numbers of neurons, including intrinsic γ-neurons and various types of non-intrinsic neurons that do not contribute to the MB neuropil. This contrasts with the postembryonic phase of MBNB development during which they have been shown to produce identical populations of intrinsic neurons. We show that different neuron types are produced in a lineage-specific temporal order and that neuron numbers are regulated by differential mitotic activity of the MBNBs. Finally, we demonstrate that γ-neuron axonal outgrowth and spatiotemporal innervation of the MB lobes follows a lineage-specific mode. The MBNBs are the first stem cells of the Drosophila CNS for which the origin and complete cell lineages have been determined.

show abstract

Section: Labeling Of Single Postmitotic Cellsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Origin ofDrosophilamushroom body neuroblasts and generation of divergent embryonic lineages

et al. 2012

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…For example, the Eurexpress and the Allen Brain Atlas document thousands of gene expression patterns in the mouse embryo and brain, respectively (Diez-Roux et al, 2011;Lein et al, 2007). Similarly, FlyBase has a database of gene expression patterns in the developing fly embryo (Tomancak et al, 2007), and cell typespecific atlases have been generated for different stages of the Drosophila CNS (Beckervordersandforth et al, 2008;Broadus et al, 1995;Ito et al, 1995;Landgraf et al, 1997;Rickert et al, 2011;Wheeler et al, 2006Wheeler et al, , 2009. Despite the tremendous utility of these and similar databases, they typically have one or more limitations: a lack of single-cell resolution; an inability to register multiple expression patterns to determine their precise relationship; an inability to be upgraded by users; an inability to compare novel patterns with the database patterns; and a lack of a three-dimensional (3D) representation of the patterns.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Atlas-builder software and the eNeuro atlas: resources for developmental biology and neuroscience

et al. 2014

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A major limitation in understanding embryonic development is the lack of cell type-specific markers. Existing gene expression and marker atlases provide valuable tools, but they typically have one or more limitations: a lack of single-cell resolution; an inability to register multiple expression patterns to determine their precise relationship; an inability to be upgraded by users; an inability to compare novel patterns with the database patterns; and a lack of three-dimensional images. Here, we develop new 'atlas-builder' software that overcomes each of these limitations. A newly generated atlas is three-dimensional, allows the precise registration of an infinite number of cell type-specific markers, is searchable and is openended. Our software can be used to create an atlas of any tissue in any organism that contains stereotyped cell positions. We used the software to generate an 'eNeuro' atlas of the Drosophila embryonic CNS containing eight transcription factors that mark the major CNS cell types (motor neurons, glia, neurosecretory cells and interneurons). We found neuronal, but not glial, nuclei occupied stereotyped locations. We added 75 new Gal4 markers to the atlas to identify over 50% of all interneurons in the ventral CNS, and these lines allowed functional access to those interneurons for the first time. We expect the atlas-builder software to benefit a large proportion of the developmental biology community, and the eNeuro atlas to serve as a publicly accessible hub for integrating neuronal attributes -cell lineage, gene expression patterns, axon/dendrite projections, neurotransmitters -and linking them to individual neurons.

show abstract

“…As a paradigm to evaluate morphological variability of an identified neuron we have chosen one of the Apterous positive neurons 14 . This neuron lies in a dorsal and medial position close to the neuropile (dAP, Figure 5A, Lundgren et al, 1995) separate from the other Apterous positive neurons and is therefore easily identifiable in apGal4-UASGFP animals.…”

Section: Representative Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Labeling of Single Cells in the Central Nervous System of <em>Drosophila melanogaster</em>

Rickert

Kunz

Harris

et al. 2013

JoVE

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In this article we describe how to individually label neurons in the embryonic CNS of Drosophila melanogaster by juxtacellular injection of the lipophilic fluorescent membrane marker DiI. This method allows the visualization of neuronal cell morphology in great detail. It is possible to label any cell in the CNS: cell bodies of target neurons are visualized under DIC optics or by expression of a fluorescent genetic marker such as GFP. After labeling, the DiI can be transformed into a permanent brown stain by photoconversion to allow visualization of cell morphology with transmitted light and DIC optics. Alternatively, the DiI-labeled cells can be observed directly with confocal microscopy, enabling genetically introduced fluorescent reporter proteins to be colocalised. The technique can be used in any animal, irrespective of genotype, making it possible to analyze mutant phenotypes at single cell resolution. Video LinkThe video component of this article can be found at

show abstract

Morphological Characterization of the Entire Interneuron Population Reveals Principles of Neuromere Organization in the Ventral Nerve Cord ofDrosophila

Cited by 39 publications

References 46 publications

Origin ofDrosophilamushroom body neuroblasts and generation of divergent embryonic lineages

Origin ofDrosophilamushroom body neuroblasts and generation of divergent embryonic lineages

Atlas-builder software and the eNeuro atlas: resources for developmental biology and neuroscience

Labeling of Single Cells in the Central Nervous System of <em>Drosophila melanogaster</em>

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About