Drosophila Brainbow: a recombinase-based fluorescence labeling technique to subdivide neural expression patterns.

ABSTRACT: We developed a multicolor neuron labeling technique in Drosophila melanogaster that combines the power to specifically target different neural populations with the label diversity provided by stochastic color choice. This adaptation of vertebrate Brainbow uses recombination to select one of three epitope-tagged proteins detectable by immunofluorescence. Two copies of this construct yield six bright, separable colors. We used Drosophila Brainbow to study the innervation patterns of multiple antennal lobe projection neuron lineages in the same preparation and to observe the relative trajectories of individual aminergic neurons. Nerve bundles, and even individual neurites hundreds of micrometers long, can be followed with definitive color labeling. We traced motor neurons in the subesophageal

SUBMITTER: Hampel S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3077945 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature