Neuroscience 2005 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 833.9 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | Plexin-B-mediated retinal axon target selection in the developing <i>Drosophila</i> visual system. |
| Authors: |
Dearborn, R. E.*1
; Gray, J.2
; Kunes, S.2
1Basic & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Albany Col. of Pharmacy, Albany, NY 2MA, 106 New Scotland Ave, 12208, |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
Development - Axonal and Dendritic Development -- Axon growth and guidance: Semaphorins and receptors |
| Session: |
833. Axon Growth and Guidance: Semaphorins and Receptors Poster |
| Presentation Time: | Wednesday, November 16, 2005 8:00 AM-9:00 AM |
| Location: | Washington Convention Center - Hall A-C, Board # D12 |
| Keywords: | guidance, transgene, R-cell, neuron |
A detailed knowledge of axon guidance mechanisms is essential to understanding neural development, providing insights into the molecular pathways associated with diseases of the nervous system. The visual system of Drosophila offers an amenable model in which to study axon guidance, as retinal (R-cell) axons project over long distances through a complex cellular milieu to synapse with appropriate targets in a precise topographic array. This precise architecture of axon connections is established using information encoded by phylogenetically conserved guidance molecules, although the complete repertoire and functional roles of these molecules are not known. We report here a role for the Semaphorin receptor, Plexin-B, in mediating R-cell axon target selection in the developing Drosophila visual system. Normal Plexin-B signaling was disrupted using the UAS-GAL4 system to drive temporal and tissue-specific transgene expression in developing optic ganglia. Visual system architecture was subsequently analyzed at the third larval instar stage by confocal microscopy. Pan-neuronal expression of a UAS-plexB transgene using an elav-GAL4 driver resulted in abnormal fasciculation of R-cell axons (stained with anti-chaoptin) and aberrant projections of cortical neuron axons (stained with anti-horseradish peroxidase) within the brain. Misexpression of the UAS-plexB transgene in the developing eye using either sev2-GAL4 or GMR-GAL4 drivers resulted in mis-targeting of R1-R6 axons and R7/R8 axons, respectively. These data demonstrate a novel requirement for Plexin-B-mediated signaling in Drosophila visual system development, a model that can be used in the genetic dissection of the Plexin-B signaling pathway.
Supported by NIH-NEI grant EY07030 to R.D. and NIH-NEI grant EY10112 to S.K.
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2005 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience, 2005. Online.
Copyright © 2005-2025 Society for Neuroscience; all rights reserved. Permission to republish any abstract or part of any abstract in any form must be obtained in writing by SfN office prior to publication.
