Tracing neurons with a kinesin-β-galactosidase fusion protein

We have analyzed the development of neuronal projections inDrosophila by fusing the gene encodingDrosophila kinesin, a microtubule-associated motor protein, toEscherichia coli lacZ, and employing the resulting chimeric protein as a reporter molecule for labelling cells by the "enhancer-trap" method. Expression of kinesin-β-galactosidase in neurons has afforded a detailed view of the morphologies and projections of neurons. The images of cells provided by this method will facilitate anatomical and genetic investigations of theDrosophila nervous system as well as other cell types.