Analysis of glial impact on larval locomotion in Drosophila
Final Report Abstract
Most animals can move and the decision to move or not to move is governed by the nervous system, which is composed of neurons and glial cells. In the central nervous system (CNS) neurons form intricate networks to eventually compute all sensory input to extract a decisive motor action. Whether and how glial cells participate in orchestrating appropriate responses by the animal is under intensive research. Here we describe our efforts to define glial functions in controlling larval locomotion of Drosophila. Utilizing simple and established neuronal circuits that control distinct escape responses we performed genetic manipulations to first define glial functions and second to identify genes involved in glia to allow selection of a specific motor response. We were able to define the contribution of glia to block ephaptic coupling between different axons and identified genes required for versicle trafficking in glial cells as being important for neuronal function.
Publications
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The sulfite oxidase Shopper controls neuronal activity by regulating glutamate homeostasis in Drosophila ensheathing glia. Nature Communications, 9(1).
Otto, Nils; Marelja, Zvonimir; Schoofs, Andreas; Kranenburg, Holger; Bittern, Jonas; Yildirim, Kerem; Berh, Dimitri; Bethke, Maria; Thomas, Silke; Rode, Sandra; Risse, Benjamin; Jiang, Xiaoyi; Pankratz, Michael; Leimkühler, Silke & Klämbt, Christian
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Wrapping glia regulates neuronal signaling speed and precision in the peripheral nervous system of Drosophila. Nature Communications, 11(1).
Kottmeier, Rita; Bittern, Jonas; Schoofs, Andreas; Scheiwe, Frederieke; Matzat, Till; Pankratz, Michael & Klämbt, Christian
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Long‐Term Observation of Locomotion of Drosophila Larvae Facilitates Feasibility of Food‐Choice Assays. Advanced Biology, 6(4).
Bittern, Jonas; Praetz, Marit; Baldenius, Marie & Klämbt, Christian
