Positive GRASP (GFP reconstitution across synaptic partners) signals between lobula plate tangential neuron Hx labelled with ScerGAL4odd-MC and octopaminergic neurons labelled with EcollexAVP16.Tdc2 were observed in the lobula plate.
ScerGAL4odd-MC drives expression in odd positive adult neurons, as well as larval odd neurons. In the embryo, expression is seen in a subset of DPL and BLP neuroblasts, as well as the mushroom body neuroblasts - although this latter expression is not maintained later in development and it is not known which neuroblast subset odd neurons develop from. During pupal development neurons are observed to undergo pruning before regrowing projections 24-48 hours after puparium formation.
Inhibition (using Hsap\KCNJ2UAS.EGFP or Ctet\TeTxLCTNT.UAS) of Scer\GAL4odd-MC neurons in larvae, in combination with a Gal80[ts] transgene to restrict expression to the larval stage, results in significantly reduced navigation towards appetitive odors, compared to controls. In the case of Hsap\KCNJ2UAS.EGFP, there is no effect on larval movement speed and no effect on navigation away from aversive odors, compared to controls; navigation towards the stronger of two similar dilutions of an appetitive odor is significantly reduced, compared to controls, but when the odor concentration is strong, they spend significantly more time closer to the source than controls; stopping, head swinging and turning frequencies are all significantly increased in the presence, but not the absence of odor, compared to controls, resulting in more convoluted locomotion tracks.
Activation (using Bhal\NaChBacUAS.cNa, or using TrpA1UAS.cUa at 30[o]C) of Scer\GAL4odd-MC neurons in larvae, in combination with a Gal80[ts] transgene to restrict expression to the larval stage, results in significantly increased navigation towards appetitive odors, compared to controls. In the case of Bhal\NaChBacUAS.cNa, there is no effect on larval movement speed, compared to controls; navigation towards the stronger of two similar dilutions of an appetitive odor is significantly increased, compared to controls, but when the odor concentration is strong, they spend significantly more time further from the source than controls; stopping and head swinging, but not turning, frequencies are significantly decreased in the presence, but not the absence, of odor, compared to controls.
Hsap\KCNJ2UAS.EGFP, Scer\GAL4odd-MC has abnormal chemosensory behavior | larval stage phenotype, suppressible by Bhal\NaChBacUAS.cNa, Scer\GAL4odd-MC
Hsap\KCNJ2UAS.EGFP, Scer\GAL4odd-MC has abnormal locomotor behavior | larval stage phenotype, suppressible by Bhal\NaChBacUAS.cNa, Scer\GAL4odd-MC
Bhal\NaChBacUAS.cNa, Scer\GAL4odd-MC is a suppressor of abnormal chemosensory behavior | larval stage phenotype of Hsap\KCNJ2UAS.EGFP, Scer\GAL4odd-MC
Bhal\NaChBacUAS.cNa, Scer\GAL4odd-MC is a suppressor of abnormal locomotor behavior | larval stage phenotype of Hsap\KCNJ2UAS.EGFP, Scer\GAL4odd-MC
G. Morata
M. Calleja