Models of Neuromodulatory Circuits in Drosophila

摘要 我们建议在果蝇中使用模型电路来研究胺能神经调节。相对较小 大量的突触前细胞，加上容易接近突触前和突触后部位，将使我们能够 量化每个胺能神经元的活性，它们与突触后靶点的功能关系，以及它们如何与突触后靶点结合。 他们的活动是协调的。最近开发的分子遗传工具将使我们能够绘制所有的 第一次接触到相关受体。新的制备组织的方法将使我们能够确定 直接和间接的调节途径。使用RNAi转基因以及经典突变，我们将 定义回路中所有胺能和多巴胺能受体的功能以及它们如何相互作用。 初步数据揭示了这个相对简单的电路中意想不到的复杂性， 到各种其他更复杂的电路，不太适合我们在这里提出的详细分析。

ABSTRACT We propose to use a model circuit in Drosophila to study aminergic neuromodulation. The relatively small number of presynaptic cells combined with easy access to both pre- and post-synaptic sites will allow us to quantify the activity of each aminergic neuron, their functional relationships to post-synaptic targets and how their activities are coordinated. Recently developed molecular genetic tools will allow us to map all of the relevant receptors for the first time. New methods of preparing the tissue will allow us to identify the function of both direct and indirect regulatory pathways. Using RNAi transgenes as well as classical mutations we will define the function of all of the aminergic and glutamatergic receptors in the circuit and how they interact. Preliminary Data have uncovered unexpected complexities in this relatively simple circuit that will be relevant to a variety of other more complex circuits less amenable to the detailed analysis we propose here.