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Updated: Dec 27, 2025
Dissection and Immunofluorescent Staining of Mushroom Body and Photoreceptor Neurons in Adult Drosophila melanogaster Brains
Published on: November 6, 2017
Differential microarray analysis of Drosophila mushroom body transcripts using chemical ablation
Masatomo Kobayashi1, Lydia Michaut, Ayako Ino
1Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences and Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8572, Japan.
Abstract:
Mushroom bodies (MBs) are the centers for olfactory associative learning and elementary cognitive functions in the Drosophila brain. As a way to systematically elucidate genes preferentially expressed in MBs, we have analyzed genome-wide alterations in transcript profiles associated with MB ablation by hydroxyurea. We selected 100 genes based on microarray data and examined their expression patterns in the brain by in situ hybridization. Seventy genes were found to be expressed in the posterodorsal cortex, which harbors the MB cell bodies. These genes encode proteins of diverse functions, including transcription, signaling, cell adhesion, channels, and transporters. Moreover, we have examined developmental functions of 40 of the microarray-identified genes by transgenic RNA interference; 8 genes were found to cause mild-to-strong MB defects when suppressed with a MB-Gal4 driver. These results provide important information not only on the repertoire of genes that control MB development but also on the repertoire of neural factors that may have important physiological functions in MB plasticity.
Insights
Researchers identified genes crucial for mushroom body (MB) development and function in Drosophila. This study reveals key neural factors influencing MB plasticity and learning.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Mushroom bodies (MBs) are critical for olfactory learning and cognition in Drosophila.
- Understanding genes regulating MBs is essential for elucidating brain function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically identify genes preferentially expressed in Drosophila MBs.
- To investigate the developmental roles of these identified genes in MBs.
Main Methods:
- Genome-wide transcript profiling via microarray analysis after MB ablation using hydroxyurea.
- In situ hybridization to examine gene expression patterns in the brain.
- Transgenic RNA interference to assess the developmental functions of selected genes.
Main Results:
- Seventy of 100 selected genes were found to be expressed in the MB posterodorsal cortex.
- These genes encode diverse proteins involved in transcription, signaling, cell adhesion, channels, and transporters.
- Suppression of 8 genes using MB-Gal4 driver resulted in mild-to-strong MB defects.
Conclusions:
- This study provides a comprehensive list of genes involved in MB development.
- Identified genes offer insights into neural factors regulating MB plasticity and physiological functions.
