Genetically encoded dendritic marker sheds light on neuronal connectivity in Drosophila

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2010 Nov 23;107(47):20553-8. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1010198107. Epub 2010 Nov 8.

Abstract

In recent years, Drosophila melanogaster has emerged as a powerful model for neuronal circuit development, pathology, and function. A major impediment to these studies has been the lack of a genetically encoded, specific, universal, and phenotypically neutral marker of the somatodendritic compartment. We have developed such a marker and show that it is effective and specific in all neuronal populations tested in the peripheral and central nervous system. The marker, which we name DenMark (Dendritic Marker), is a hybrid protein of the mouse protein ICAM5/Telencephalin and the red fluorescent protein mCherry. We show that DenMark is a powerful tool for revealing novel aspects of the neuroanatomy of developing dendrites, identifying previously unknown dendritic arbors, and elucidating neuronal connectivity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism
  • Dendrites / genetics*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / genetics*
  • Electroretinography
  • Genetic Markers / genetics*
  • Hippocampus / cytology
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Luminescent Proteins / genetics
  • Luminescent Proteins / metabolism*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neurons / cytology*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism*
  • Red Fluorescent Protein

Substances

  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Genetic Markers
  • Icam5 protein, mouse
  • Luminescent Proteins
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins