Examining the vulnerability of adult neuron subtypes to tau-mediated toxicity in Drosophila.

ABSTRACT: Selective vulnerability of nerve cells is a feature of neurodegenerative disease. To date, animal models have been limited to examining pathogenic protein expression in broad or heterogeneous neuronal populations. Consequently, noted pathological hallmarks represent an average of disease phenotypes over multiple neuron types, rather than exact measures of individual responses. Here we targeted gene expression to small, precisely defined and homogenous neuronal populations in the Drosophila melanogaster central nervous system (CNS), allowing dissection of selective vulnerability of single types of neurons with single-neuron resolution. Using cellular degeneration as a readout for vulnerability, we found while all neurons were affected by tau some neuron types were more affected (vulnerable)

SUBMITTER: Sivanantharajah L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11972385 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature