Dendritic filopodia, Ripped Pocket, NOMPC, and NMDARs contribute to the sense of touch in Drosophila larvae.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Among the Aristotelian senses, the subcellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the sense of touch are the most poorly understood.

Results

We demonstrate that specialized sensory neurons, the class II and class III multidendritic (md) neurons, are gentle touch sensors of Drosophila larvae. Genetic silencing of these cells significantly impairs gentle touch responses, optogenetic activation of these cells triggers behavioral touch-like responses, and optical recordings from these neurons show that they respond to force. The class III neurons possess highly dynamic dendritic protrusions rich in F-actin. Genetic manipulations that alter actin dynamics indicate that the actin-rich protrusions (termed sensory filopodia) on the class III neurons are required for beh

SUBMITTER: Tsubouchi A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3511824 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature