Photo-labeling neurons in the Drosophila brain

STAR Protoc. 2021 Mar 6;2(1):100381. doi: 10.1016/j.xpro.2021.100381. eCollection 2021 Mar 19.

Abstract

Many genetically encoded tools, including large collections of GAL4 transgenic lines, can be used to visualize neurons of the Drosophila melanogaster brain. However, identifying transgenic lines that are expressed sparsely enough to label individual neurons, or groups of neurons that innervate a particular brain region, remains technically challenging. Here, we provide a detailed procedure in which we used broadly expressed transgenic lines and two-photon microscopy to photo-label neurons with specificity, thereby permitting their morphological characterization. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Li et al. (2020).

Keywords: Cell biology; Microscopy; Model organisms; Neuroscience.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Brain Mapping / methods*
  • Drosophila / cytology
  • Genetic Engineering / methods*
  • Nervous System Physiological Phenomena
  • Neurons / cytology*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Transcription Factors