Hornstein Nicholas J, Pulver Stefan R, Griffith Leslie C
Department of Biology, Brandeis University, USA.
J Vis Exp. 2009 Mar 16(25):1133. doi: 10.3791/1133.
The Drosophila larval neuromuscular preparation has proven to be a useful tool for studying synaptic physiology. Currently, the only means available to evoke excitatory junctional potentials (EJPs) in this preparation involves the use of suction electrodes. In both research and teaching labs, students often have difficulty maneuvering and manipulating this type of stimulating electrode. In the present work, we show how to remotely stimulate synaptic potentials at the larval NMJ without the use of suction electrodes. By expressing channelrhodopsin2 (ChR2) in Drosophila motor neurons using the GAL4-UAS system, and making minor changes to a basic electrophysiology rig, we were able to reliably evoke EJPs with pulses of blue light. This technique could be of particular use in neurophysiology teaching labs where student rig practice time and resources are limited.
果蝇幼虫神经肌肉标本已被证明是研究突触生理学的有用工具。目前,在此标本中诱发兴奋性接头电位(EJP)的唯一可用方法是使用吸力电极。在研究实验室和教学实验室中,学生们经常在操作和操控这种刺激电极时遇到困难。在本研究中,我们展示了如何在不使用吸力电极的情况下远程刺激幼虫神经肌肉接头处的突触电位。通过使用GAL4-UAS系统在果蝇运动神经元中表达通道视紫红质2(ChR2),并对基本的电生理装置进行微小改动,我们能够用蓝光脉冲可靠地诱发EJP。这项技术在学生实验练习时间和资源有限的神经生理学教学实验室中可能会特别有用。