Focal laser stimulation of fly nociceptors activates distinct axonal and dendritic Ca²⁺ signals.

ABSTRACT: Drosophila class IV neurons are polymodal nociceptors that detect noxious mechanical, thermal, optical, and chemical stimuli. Escape behaviors in response to attacks by parasitoid wasps are dependent on class IV cells, whose highly branched dendritic arbors form a fine meshwork that is thought to enable detection of the wasp's needle-like ovipositor barb. To understand how mechanical stimuli trigger cellular responses, we used a focused 405-nm laser to create highly localized lesions to probe the precise position needed to evoke responses. By imaging calcium signals in dendrites, axons, and soma in response to stimuli of varying positions, intensities, and spatial profiles, we discovered that there are two distinct nociceptive pathways. Direct stimulation to dendrites (the contact pathway)

SUBMITTER: Basak R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8390926 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature