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Updated: May 5, 2026
09:57
Imaging Membrane Potential with Two Types of Genetically Encoded Fluorescent Voltage Sensors
Published on: February 4, 2016
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Genetically targeted optical electrophysiology in intact neural circuits
Guan Cao1, Jelena Platisa, Vincent A Pieribone
1Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
Cell
|August 13, 2013
Summary
ArcLight, a new genetically encoded fluorescent voltage indicator (GEVI), successfully records electrical activity in intact fruit fly brains. This breakthrough enables simultaneous optical monitoring of neuronal membrane potential in complex neural circuits.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Optical imaging
- Genetics
Background:
- Nervous systems rely on integrated neuronal electrical activity for information processing.
- Optical monitoring of neuronal membrane potential using genetically encoded fluorescent voltage indicators (GEVIs) is crucial for studying neural circuits.
- Existing GEVIs lack robust signal detection in intact brain tissue for simultaneous multi-neuron recordings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of the ArcLight GEVI for monitoring neuronal electrical activity in intact neural circuits.
- To demonstrate ArcLight's capability in detecting subthreshold events and action potentials in genetically targeted neurons.
- To enable optical measurement of membrane potential in intact Drosophila brains.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the ArcLight GEVI in genetically targeted neurons within the intact Drosophila fruit fly brain.
- Performed simultaneous optical monitoring of neuronal membrane potential.
- Recorded both subthreshold electrical events and action potentials.
Main Results:
- ArcLight demonstrated robust signal detection in the intact Drosophila brain.
- Successfully recorded subthreshold events and action potentials in genetically targeted neurons.
- Revealed electrical signals within neurite branches, offering detailed circuit insights.
Conclusions:
- ArcLight provides a powerful tool for optical measurement of membrane potential in intact neural circuits.
- This GEVI enables reliable, simultaneous recording of electrical events in multiple neurons.
- ArcLight has the potential to revolutionize the study of neuronal information processing, similar to Ca(2+) sensors.
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