Contrasting developmental axon regrowth and neurite sprouting of Drosophila mushroom body neurons reveals shared and unique molecular mechanisms.

ABSTRACT: The molecular mechanisms regulating intrinsic axon growth potential during development or following injury remain largely unknown despite their vast importance. Here, we have established a neurite sprouting assay of primary cultured mushroom body (MB) neurons. We used the MARCM technique to both mark and manipulate MB neurons, enabling us to quantify the sprouting abilities of single WT and mutant neurons originating from flies at different developmental stages. Sprouting of dissociated MB neurons was dependent on wnd, the DLK ortholog, a conserved gene that is required for axon regeneration. Next, and as expected, we found that the sprouting ability of adult MB neurons was significantly decreased. In contrast, and to our surprise, we found that pupal-derived neurons exhibit increased spro

SUBMITTER: Marmor-Kollet N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5113756 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature