Control of directional change after mechanical stimulation in Drosophila

Yating Zhou,Scott Cameron,Yong Rao,Wen-Tzu Chang

doi:10.1186/1756-6606-5-39

Yating Zhou, Scott Cameron + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-6606-5-39

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Journal: Molecular brain	Publication Date: Oct 29, 2012
Citations: 67	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: McGill University Health Centre

Abstract

BackgroundProper adjustment of moving direction after external mechanical stimulation is essential for animals to avoid danger (e.g. predators), and thus is vital for survival. This process involves sensory inputs, central processing and motor outputs. Recent studies have made considerable progress in identifying mechanosensitive neurons and mechanosensation receptor proteins. Our understandings of molecular and cellular mechanisms that link mechanosensation with the changes in moving direction, however, remain limited.ResultsIn this study, we investigate the control of movement adjustment in Drosophila. In response to gentle touch at the anterior segments, Drosophila larvae reorient and select a new direction for forward movement. The extent of change in moving direction is correlated with the intensity of tactile stimuli. Sensation of gentle touch requires chordotonal organs and class IV da neurons. Genetic analysis indicates an important role for the evolutionarily conserved immunoglobulin (Ig) superfamily protein Turtle (Tutl) to regulate touch-initiated directional change. Tutl is required specifically in post-mitotic neurons at larval stage after the completion of embryonic development. Circuit breaking analysis identified a small subset of Tutl-positive neurons that are involved in the adjustment of moving direction.ConclusionWe identify Tutl and a small subset of CNS neurons in modulating directional change in response to gentle touch. This study presents an excellent starting point for further dissection of molecular and cellular mechanisms controlling directional adjustment after mechanical stimulation.

Highlights

Proper adjustment of moving direction after external mechanical stimulation is essential for animals to avoid danger, and is vital for survival
We found that male and female larvae showed similar navigational pattern in response to gentle touch
We examined the response of painless mutants to gentle touch. pain encodes a member of TRPN channels. pain is expressed in multidendritic neurons and chordotonal organs, and is required for both mechanical and thermal nociception [16]

Summary

Introduction

Proper adjustment of moving direction after external mechanical stimulation is essential for animals to avoid danger (e.g. predators), and is vital for survival. This process involves sensory inputs, central processing and motor outputs. Proper adjustment of moving direction is essential for animals to forage and to escape from predation Animals use cues such as light, odor, temperature and mechanical stimuli to make their movement decisions [1]. Reorientation of movement after mechanical stimulation requires activation of mechanosensitive neurons, the integration and processing of information in the central nervous system (CNS), and motor outputs (as reviewed by [2,3]). Molecules important for mechanotransduction have been identified in Drosophila, such as mechanotransducers Pickpocket [10], Piezo [11] and NompC [7,8], as well as other proteins that are required for maintaining the structural integrity of mechanosensitive neurons (e.g. NompA) [12]

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