Study of Dendrite Differentiation Using Drosophila Dendritic Arborization Neurons

Neurons receive, process, and integrate inputs. These operations are organized by dendrite arbor morphology, and the dendritic arborization (da) neurons of the Drosophila peripheral sensory nervous system are an excellent experimental model for examining the differentiation processes that build and shape the dendrite arbor. Studies in da neurons are enabled by a wealth of fly genetic tools that allow targeted neuron manipulation and labeling of the neuron's cytoskeletal or organellar components. Moreover, as da neuron dendrite arbors cover the body wall, they are highly accessible for live imaging analysis of arbor patterning. Here, we outline the structure and function of different da neuron types and give examples of how they are used to elucidate central mechanisms of dendritic arbor formation.