Localization of choline acetyltransferase-expressing neurons in the larval visual system of Drosophila melanogaster.
Cell Tissue Res
; 282(2): 193-202, 1995 Nov.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-8565051
Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) is the enzyme catalyzing the biosynthesis of acetylcholine and is considered to be a phenotypically specific marker for cholinergic neurons. We have examined the distribution of ChAT-expressing neurons in the larval nervous system of Drosophila melanogaster by three different but complementary techniques: in situ hybridization with a cRNA probe to ChAT messenger RNA, immunocytochemistry using a monoclonal anti-ChAT antibody, and X-gal staining of transformed animals carrying a reporter gene composed of 7.4 kb of 5' flanking DNA from the ChAT gene fused to a lacZ reporter gene. All three techniques demonstrated ChAT-expressing neurons in the larval visual system. In embryos, the photoreceptor organ (Bolwig's organ) exhibited strong cRNA hybridization signals. The optic lobe of late third-instar larvae displayed ChAT immunoreactivity in Bolwig's nerve and a neuron close to the insertion site of the optic stalk. This neuron's axon ran in parallel with Bolwig's nerve to the larval optic neuropil. This neuron is likely to be a first-order interneuron of the larval visual system. Expression of the lacZ reporter gene was also detected in Bolwig's organ and the neuron stained by anti-ChAT antibody. Our observations indicate that acetylcholine may be a neurotransmitter in the larval photoreceptor cells as well as in a first-order interneuron in the larval visual system of Drosophila melanogaster.
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Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Colina O-Acetiltransferasa
/
Drosophila melanogaster
/
Neuronas
Límite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Cell Tissue Res
Año:
1995
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos
Pais de publicación:
Alemania