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This protocol describes a basic method for dissection and immunofluorescence staining of the Drosophila brain at various developmental stages. The Drosophila brain has become increasingly useful for studies of neuronal wiring and morphogenesis in combination with techniques such as the 'mosaic analysis with a repressible cell marker' (MARCM) system, where single neurons can be followed in live and fixed tissues for high-resolution analysis of wild-type or genetically manipulated cells. Such high-resolution anatomical study of the brain is also important in characterizing the organization of neural circuits using genetic tools such as GAL4 enhancer trap lines, as Drosophila has been intensively used for studying the neural basis of behavior. Advantages of fluorescence immunostaining include compatibility with multicolor labeling and confocal or multiphoton imaging. This brain dissection and immunofluorescence staining protocol requires approximately 2 to 6 d to complete.

Mosaic analysis with a repressible cell marker (MARCM) is a genetic technique used in Drosophila to label single cells or multiple cells sharing a single progenitor. Labeled homozygous mutant cells can be generated in an otherwise unlabeled heterozygous animal. Mutant or wild-type labeled cells can also be made to express one or more transgenes. Major applications of MARCM include (i) lineage analysis, (ii) investigating gene function in single or small populations of cells and (iii) neuronal circuit tracing. Our laboratory uses MARCM primarily to label and genetically manipulate neurons; however, this protocol can be adapted to any cell of interest. The protocol involves generating two fly stocks with the necessary genetic elements for MARCM analysis and subsequently generating MARCM clones. Labeled clones can be followed in live and fixed tissues for high-resolution analysis of wild-type or genetically manipulated cells. NOTE: In the PDF version of this article initially published online, the first “FRT” and the “Mutation” labels in Figure 1b were transposed. In both the PDF and HTML versions, “mutant” was omitted from the label on the right, which should read “Labeled homozygous mutant daughter cell”. The figure has been corrected in all versions of the article.

The initiation and progression of many human cancers involve either somatic activation of protooncogenes or inactivation of tumor-suppressor genes (TSGs) in sporadic cells. Although sporadic gain-of-function of protooncogenes has been successfully modeled in mice [e.g., Johnson L, Mercer K, Greenbaum D, Bronson RT, Crowley D, Tuveson DA, Jacks T (2001) Nature 410:1111–1116], generating a similar degree of sparseness of TSG loss-of-function remains a challenge. Here, we use mosaic analysis with double markers (MADM) to achieve TSG inactivation and concurrent labeling in sporadic somatic cells of mice, closely mimicking loss of heterozygosity as occurs in human cancers. As proof of principle, we studied the consequence of sporadic loss of p27kip1, a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor. MADM-mediated loss of p27kip1 results in mutant cell expansion markedly greater than that observed in conventional p27kip1 knockouts. Moreover, the direct comparison of WT and mutant cells at single-cell resolution afforded by MADM reveals that p27kip1 regulates organ size in vivo by cell-autonomous control of cell cycle exit timing. These studies establish MADM as a high-resolution method for modeling sporadic loss of heterozygosity in mice, providing insights into TSG function.

Ion channels govern portals that facilitate ionic passage across membranes in all organisms. KCNK9, a member of the family of two-pore domain potassium K+ channels, mediates "leak" currents critical to maintaining cell resting membrane potentials. Since its identification, KCNK9 has been implicated in various human disorders including cancer. KCNK9 overexpression has been observed in melanoma, colorectal, breast and lung cancers, and KCNK9 has been found to promote neoplastic cell survival and growth. However, KCNK9's underlying contributions to malignancy remain elusive due to the absence of specific modulators. Here, we describe the development of novel monoclonal antibodies directed against the KCNK9 extracellular domain and their functional effects. We show that one antibody (Y4) with the highest affinity binding, inhibits KCNK9 activity by inducing internalization of cell-surface channels. When tested on KCNK9-expressing cells, Y4 reduces cell viability; increases cell death and triggers complement-dependent cytotoxicity. Systemic administration of Y4 effectively inhibits growth of human lung cancer xenografts and breast cancer metastasis in a syngeneic murine model (P < 0.05). Since KCNK9 expression has been reported in human glioma and linked to regulation of glioblastoma cell survival, we extended our study to glioblastoma and examined KCNK9 expression in a panel of glioblastoma cell lines as well as primary cultures from patient-derived tumors. We found abundant KCNK9 expression in some aggressive glioblastoma models (e.g. Mayo39). We are currently investigating the functional effects of antibodies in these models. In conclusion, we have generated a high affinity KCNK9-specific monoclonal antibody that inhibits tumor cell survival, primary tumor formation and metastasis. Antibody-based KCNK9 targeting can shed light on KCNK9's significance in glioblastoma development and become promising therapeutic strategy in KCNK9-expressing brain malignancy.

Ion channels are important portals that facilitate ionic passage across membranes in all organisms. KCNK9, a member of the family of two-pore domain potassium K+ channels, mediates “leak” currents critical to maintaining cell resting membrane potentials. Since its identification, KCNK9 has been implicated in various human disorders including cancer. KCNK9 overexpression has been observed in melanoma, colorectal, breast and lung tumors and KCNK9 has been found to promote tumor survival and growth, by increasing resistance to hypoxia and apoptosis. However, KCNK9's underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms have been elusive due to the absence of specific inhibitors. Here, we describe the development of novel monoclonal antibodies directed against the KCNK9 extracellular domain and their molecular/cellular effects on KCNK9-expressing cells. Murine monoclonal IgG1 antibodies were raised against recombinant KCNK9 extracellular domains expressed in a mammalian system. 40 monoclonal antibodies were generated and demonstrated channel subtype-specific recognition of human KCNK9. Among them, 1 antibody designated Y4-mAb displayed sub-nanomolar binding affinity and inhibited KCNK9 channel conductance by up to 30% when tested in a fluorescent ion-influx assay. Through confocal microscopic analysis, channel inhibition was found to result from antibody-induced internalization and endocytosis of cell-surface channels. Y4-mAb induced up to 30∼40% reduction in cell viability and increased cell death in BEN non-small cell lung carcinoma cells and BT-549 and 410.4 breast cancer cells. In addition to “direct cell killing”, this antibody activated complement, resulting in complement-dependent cancer cell cytotoxicity in vitro. Initial experiments in vivo showed that systemic Y4-mAb inhibited the capacity of BEN non-small cell lung carcinoma cells to propagate subcutaneous tumor xenografts in nude mice (p In conclusion, we have generated a high affinity KCNK9-specific monoclonal antibody that perturbs KCNK9 function and inhibits tumor cell survival and xenograft formation. Anti-KCNK9 antibodies have the potential to be valuable research tools and may lead to novel therapeutics. Moreover, our strategies should be generally applicable to studying the functions of other ion channels in cancer. Citation Format: Han Sun, Liqun Luo, Bachchu Lal, John Laterra, Min Li. Probing the tumorigenic properties of two pore potassium channels using inhibitory anti-KCNK9 mAbs. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 640. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-640

Innate attraction and aversion to odorants are observed throughout the animal kingdom, but how olfactory circuits encode such valences is not well understood, despite extensive anatomical and functional knowledge. In Drosophila melanogaster, ~50 types of olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) each express a unique receptor gene, and relay information to a cognate type of projection neurons (PNs). To examine the extent to which the population activity of ORNs is required for olfactory behavior, we developed a genetic strategy to block all ORN outputs, and then to restore output in specific types. Unlike attraction, aversion was unaffected by simultaneous silencing of many ORNs, and even single ORN types previously shown to convey neutral valence sufficed to mediate aversion. Thus, aversion may rely on specific activity patterns in individual ORNs rather than the number or identity of activated ORNs. ORN activity is relayed into the brain by downstream circuits, with excitatory PNs (ePN) representing a major output. We found that silencing the majority of ePNs did not affect aversion, even when ePNs directly downstream of single restored ORN types were silenced. Our data demonstrate the robustness of olfactory aversion, and suggest that its circuit mechanism is qualitatively different from attraction.

Summary Proper information processing in neural circuits requires establishment of specific connections between pre- and postsynaptic neurons. Targeting specificity of neurons is instructed by cell-surface receptors on the growth cones of axons and dendrites, which confer responses to external guidance cues [1, 2]. Expression of cell-surface receptors is in turn regulated by neuron-intrinsic transcriptional programs. In the Drosophila olfactory system, each projection neuron (PN) achieves precise dendritic targeting to one of 50 glomeruli in the antennal lobe [3]. PN dendritic targeting is specified by lineage and birth order [4], and their initial targeting occurs prior to contact with axons of their presynaptic partners, olfactory receptor neurons [5]. We search for transcription factors (TFs) that control PN-intrinsic mechanisms of dendritic targeting. We previously identified two POU-domain TFs, acj6 and drifter , as essential players [6]. After testing 13 additional candidates, we identified four TFs (LIM-homeodomain TFs islet and lim1 , the homeodomain TF cut , and the zinc-finger TF squeeze ) and the LIM cofactor Chip that are required for PN dendritic targeting. These results begin to provide insights into the global strategy of how an ensemble of TFs regulates wiring specificity of a large number of neurons constituting a neural circuit.

As recently characterized, following s.c. implantation into syngeneic C57BL/6 mice, E0771 tumor invades locally into dermal layers and peritoneum, metastasizes to the lung, and induces a nonspecific immunosuppression in the host. Using this breast medullar adenocarcinoma model, a therapy consisting of a single moderate dose of doxorubicin followed by twice daily moderate doses of interleukin-2 for 30 days was examined for efficacy and mechanism of action when given to animals with established disease. This combination treatment, but not combinants alone, resulted in tumor-free long-term survival of 40% of the mice without significant toxicity and 83% of survivors had immune memory specific for E0771 cells. Treatment also decreased immune suppression induced by E0771 tumor. Full response to treatment required functional CD8+ T cells, whereas depletion of natural killer cells caused only a reduction in response rate. A serum “biomarker” profile that correlated with, and seemed predictive of, response to treatment was identified by nuclear magnetic resonance–based metabonomic analysis. The efficacy of this nontoxic treatment and the potential to be able to predict which individual is responding to treatment are characteristics that make this chemoimmunotherapy attractive for clinical testing. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(10): 5419-26)

In the olfactory system of Drosophila melanogaster, axons of olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) and dendrites of second-order projection neurons typically target 1 of approximately 50 glomeruli. Dscam, an immunoglobulin superfamily protein, acts in ORNs to regulate axon targeting. Here we show that Dscam acts in projection neurons and local interneurons to control the elaboration of dendritic fields. The removal of Dscam selectively from projection neurons or local interneurons led to clumped dendrites and marked reduction in their dendritic field size. Overexpression of Dscam in projection neurons caused dendrites to be more diffuse during development and shifted their relative position in adulthood. Notably, the positional shift of projection neuron dendrites caused a corresponding shift of its partner ORN axons, thus maintaining the connection specificity. This observation provides evidence for a pre- and postsynaptic matching mechanism independent of precise glomerular positioning.

The selective elimination of axons, dendrites, axon and dendrite branches, and synapses, without loss of the parent neurons, occurs during normal development of the nervous system as well as in response to injury or disease in the adult. The widespread developmental phenomena of exuberant axonal projections and synaptic connections require both small-scale and large-scale axon pruning to generate precise adult connectivity, and they provide a mechanism for neural plasticity in the developing and adult nervous system, as well as a mechanism to evolve differences between species in a projection system. Such pruning is also required to remove axonal connections damaged in the adult, to stabilize the affected neural circuits, and to initiate their repair. Pruning occurs through either retraction or degeneration. Here we review examples of these phenomena and consider potential cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie axon retraction and degeneration and how they might relate to each other in development and disease.

The central problem of neural circuit assembly is how wiring specificity is achieved. The Drosophila olfactory neural circuit presents a fascinating system to attack this problem. As in mammals, the Drosophila olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) that express a given receptor converge their axons onto a common glomerulus in the antennal lobe, creating an odor map in this first olfactory structure of the central nervous system (Ressler et al., 1994; Vassar et al., 1994; Mombaerts et al., 1996; Gao et al., 2000; Vosshall et al., 2000). Antennal lobe projection neurons (PNs) send their dendrites into glomeruli and axons to higher brain centers including the mushroom body and the lateral horn (Stocker, 1994). Using MARCM-based systematic clonal analysis, we found that PNs are prespecified by lineage and birth order to send dendrites to specific glomeruli and thereby carry specific olfactory information (Jefferis et al., 2001). Further, we demonstrated that according to glomerular class, PNs have stereotyped axon branching patterns and terminal fields in the lateral horn (Marin et al., 2002; Wong et al., 2002). Thus during the construction of the fly olfactory system, a given ORN must target its axons to one of ∼50 glomeruli, while a given PN must also target its dendrites to one of ∼50 glomeruli and furthermore the PN must coordinate its dendritic target choice with its axon terminal arborization pattern in higher olfactory centers. Our developmental and genetic analyses have begun to shed light on how wiring specificity in the antennal lobe is achieved. Surprisingly, PN dendrites and ORN axons appear to have substantial selforganizing properties. For instance, we found that, before ORN axon arrival, PN dendrites have already created a prototypic dendritic map by virtue of their selective and stereotyped localization of dendritic processes within the developing antennal lobe (Jefferis et al., 2004) and that dendrite-dendrite interactions are essential for the formation and refinement of the PN dendritic map (Zhu and Luo, 2004). On the ORN side, genetic mosaic analyses revealed cooperative interactions between axon terminals of the same ORN classes and hierarchical interdependence among different ORN classes (Komiyama et al., 2004). Thus the precise wiring of the olfactory system likely relies on extensive PN–PN and ORN–ORN interactions to create two prototypic maps, which then come into register through ORN–PN interaction. We are using both a candidate gene and forward genetic approach to identify genes that direct the establishment of wiring specificity of the olfactory system. For example, we have identified a set of POUdomain transcription factors that are expressed in a lineage-specific fashion in PNs and instruct lineage-specific dendritic targeting (Komiyama et al., 2003). One of these POU factors also control ORN axon targeting (Komiyama et al., 2004). We are also analyzing a number of candidate cell-surface proteins such as N-cadherin (Zhu and Luo, 2004) for their contribution to wiring specificity. Our ongoing forward genetic screen has yielded a number of interesting mutants that block different aspects of dendritic targeting, including glomerular choice, terminal elaboration and uni-glomerular restriction. By continuing these approaches, we expect to make substantial progress in the near future in deciphering the molecular logic that underlies the development of wiring specificity in the antennal lobe. Many of these genes may be used in projection neurons for both dendritic targeting and axon terminal arborization (e.g. Komiyama et al., 2003; Zhu and Luo, 2004), providing a means to coordinate the wiring specificity in two olfactory centers.

To cover the entire sensory field once and only once, dendrites of some sensory system neurons avoid crossing other dendrites from the same type of neurons. In this issue of Cell, provide first insight into the molecular mechanisms of dendritic tiling.

Axon pruning is widely used for the refinement of neural circuits in both vertebrates and invertebrates, and may also contribute to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. However, little is known about the cellular and molecular mechanisms of axon pruning. We use the stereotyped pruning of gamma neurons of the Drosophila mushroom bodies (MB) during metamorphosis to investigate these mechanisms. Detailed time course analyses indicate that MB axon pruning is mediated by local degeneration rather than retraction and that the disruption of the microtubule cytoskeleton precedes axon pruning. In addition, multiple lines of genetic evidence demonstrate an intrinsic role of the ubiquitin-proteasome system in axon pruning; for example, loss-of-function mutations of the ubiquitin activating enzyme (E1) or proteasome subunits in MB neurons block axon pruning. Our findings suggest that some forms of axon pruning during development may share similarities with degeneration of axons in response to injury.

Axonal selection of synaptic partners is generally believed to determine wiring specificity in the nervous system. However, we have recently found evidence for specific dendritic targeting in the olfactory system of Drosophila: second order olfactory neurons (Projection Neurons) from the anterodorsal (adPN) and lateral (lPN) lineages send their dendrites to stereotypical, intercalating but non-overlapping glomeruli. Here we show that POU domain transcription factors, Acj6 and Drifter, are expressed in adPNs and lPNs respectively, and are required for their dendritic targeting. Moreover, misexpression of Acj6 in lPNs, or Drifter in adPNs, results in dendritic targeting to glomeruli normally reserved for the other PN lineage. Thus, Acj6 and Drifter translate PN lineage information into distinct dendritic targeting specificity. Acj6 also controls stereotypical axon terminal arborization of PNs in a central target, suggesting that the connectivity of PN axons and dendrites in different brain centers is coordinately regulated.

Plucked from the tree, a leaf withers. Such a loss of vitality upon removal from the whole appears so natural that one may take it for granted as a passive and unstoppable process. But is it? Although cell death was long thought to be a passive process, we now know that at least one form of cell death, apoptosis (from Greek “falling away”), is an active process that can be blocked by inhibiting a specific signaling pathway ( 1 ). On page 481 of this issue, Osterloh et al. ( 2 ) find that the death of a portion of a nerve cell, the axon, after it is severed from the cell body, can be dramatically slowed by the inactivation of just one gene. The discovery has important implications for understanding the molecular mechanisms of axon degeneration, as well as for developing drugs against neurodegenerative diseases.

The lobula plate in the optic lobe of the fly brain is a high-order processing center for visual information. Within the lobula plate lie a small number of giant neurons that are responsible for the detection of wide field visual motion. Although the structure and motion sensitivity of these cells have been extensively described in large flies, the system has not been described systematically in Drosophila. Here, we use the mosaic analysis with a repressible cell marker (MARCM) system to analyze a subset of these cells, the horizontal and vertical systems. Our results suggest that the Drosophila horizontal system is similar to those described in larger flies, with three neurons fanning their dendrites over the lobula plate. We found that there are six neurons in the Drosophila vertical system, a figure that compares with 9-11 neurons in large flies. Even so, the Drosophila vertical system closely resembles the systems of larger flies, with each neuron in Drosophila having an approximate counterpart in large flies. This anatomical similarity implies that the inputs to the vertical system are similarly organized in these various fly species, and that it is likely that the Drosophila neurons respond to motions similar to those sensed by their specific structural counterparts in large flies. Additionally, the similar appearance of vertical system cells in multiple cell clones demonstrates that they share a common developmental lineage. Access to these cells in Drosophila should allow for the use of genetic tools in future studies of horizontal and vertical system function.

Growth, guidance and branching of axons are all essential processes for the precise wiring of the nervous system. Rho family GTPases transduce extracellular signals to regulate the actin cytoskeleton. In particular, Rac has been implicated in axon growth and guidance. Here we analyse the loss-of-function phenotypes of three Rac GTPases in Drosophila mushroom body neurons. We show that progressive loss of combined Rac1, Rac2 and Mtl activity leads first to defects in axon branching, then guidance, and finally growth. Expression of a Rac1 effector domain mutant that does not bind Pak rescues growth, partially rescues guidance, but does not rescue branching defects of Rac mutant neurons. Mosaic analysis reveals both cell autonomous and non-autonomous functions for Rac GTPases, the latter manifesting itself as a strong community effect in axon guidance and branching. These results demonstrate the central role of Rac GTPases in multiple aspects of axon development in vivo, and suggest that axon growth, guidance and branching could be controlled by differential activation of Rac signalling pathways.

Rac GTPases regulate the actin cytoskeleton to control changes in cell shape1,2. To date, the analysis of Rac function during development has relied heavily on the use of dominant mutant isoforms. Here, we use loss-of-function mutations to show that the three Drosophila Rac genes, Rac1, Rac2 and Mtl, have overlapping functions in the control of epithelial morphogenesis, myoblast fusion, and axon growth and guidance. They are not required for the establishment of planar cell polarity, as had been suggested on the basis of studies using dominant mutant isoforms3,4. The guanine nucleotide exchange factor, Trio, is essential for Rac function in axon growth and guidance, but not for epithelial morphogenesis or myoblast fusion. Different Rac activators thus act in different developmental processes. The specific cellular response to Rac activation may be determined more by the upstream activator than the specific Rac protein involved.

Recent advances in the study of the connectivity of Drosophila olfactory system include the demonstration that olfactory receptor neurons project to specific glomeruli according to the receptor type they express, and that their projection neuron partners are prespecified to innervate particular glomeruli by birth order or time. This same theme of sequential generation has been observed in the generation of the three major types of mushroom body neurons.

Early endosomes are essential for regulating cell signalling and controlling the amount of cell surface molecules during neuronal morphogenesis. Early endosomes undergo retrograde transport (clustering) before their homotypic fusion. Small GTPase Rab5 is known to promote early endosomal fusion, but the mechanism linking the transport/clustering with Rab5 activity is unclear. Here we show that Drosophila Strip is a key regulator for neuronal morphogenesis. Strip knockdown disturbs the early endosome clustering, and Rab5-positive early endosomes become smaller and scattered. Strip genetically and biochemically interacts with both Glued (the regulator of dynein-dependent transport) and Sprint (the guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Rab5), suggesting that Strip is a molecular linker between retrograde transport and Rab5 activation. Overexpression of an active form of Rab5 in strip-mutant neurons suppresses the axon elongation defects. Thus, Strip acts as a molecular platform for the early endosome organization that has important roles in neuronal morphogenesis., This work was supported by grants from the National Institute of General Medical Science of the National Institutes of Health (R01-GM085232 to V.I.G.), the National Institutes of Health (R01-DC005982 to L.L.), the Japanese Ministry of Education, Science, Sports, Culture, and Technology (MEXT), the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, and the Japan Science and Technology Agency (to C.S., K.T., Y.Y., M.M., and T.C.).

The human brain comprises more than 100 billion neurons, each of which has an elaborate shape and a complex pattern of connections. To untangle this complexity, it is often useful to visualize one neuron at a time. Mosaic analysis with double markers (MADM) is a genetic method for labeling and manipulating individual neurons. This method was developed in mice and it allows simultaneous labeling and gene knockout in clones of somatic cells or isolated single cells in vivo. In MADM, labeling is achieved by using site-specific recombinases to induce the reconstitution of chimeric fluorescent proteins. Here we provide the standard procedure for utilizing MADM to examine lineage analysis, neural circuit tracing, and gene function. ROSA26-MADM is used as an example because the reagents are published and available. As MADM cassettes are introduced onto more chromosomes, genes located on these other chromosomes can be subjected to mosaic analysis in an analogous manner to that described below. We present detailed protocols with troubleshooting guides, as well as applications of the technique in tracing neural circuits, live imaging of developing neurons, and studying mechanisms of neuronal morphogenesis.

Frizzled (Fz) and Dishevelled (Dsh) are components of an evolutionarily conserved signaling pathway that regulates planar cell polarity. How this signaling pathway directs asymmetric cytoskeletal reorganization and polarized cell morphology remains unknown. Here, we show that Drosophila Rho-associated kinase (Drok) works downstream of Fz/Dsh to mediate a branch of the planar polarity pathway involved in ommatidial rotation in the eye and in restricting actin bundle formation to a single site in developing wing cells. The primary output of Drok signaling is regulating the phosphorylation of nonmuscle myosin regulatory light chain, and hence the activity of myosin II. Drosophila myosin VIIA, the homolog of the human Usher Syndrome 1B gene, also functions in conjunction with this newly defined portion of the Fz/Dsh signaling pathway to regulate the actin cytoskeleton.

The shape of dendritic trees and the density of dendritic spines can undergo significant changes during the life of a neuron. We report here the function of the small GTPases Rac and Rho in the maintenance of dendritic structures. Maturing pyramidal neurons in rat hippocampal slice culture were biolistically transfected with dominant GTPase mutants. We found that expression of dominant-negative Rac1 results in a progressive elimination of dendritic spines, whereas hyperactivation of RhoA causes a drastic simplification of dendritic branch patterns that is dependent on the activity of a downstream kinase ROCK. Our results suggest that Rac and Rho play distinct functions in regulating dendritic spines and branches and are vital for the maintenance and reorganization of dendritic structures in maturing neurons.

split ends (spen) encodes nuclear 600 kDa proteins that contain RNA recognition motifs and a conserved C-terminal sequence. These features define a new protein family, Spen, which includes the vertebrate MINT transcriptional regulator. Zygotic spen mutants affect the growth and guidance of a subset of axons in the Drosophila embryo. Removing maternal and zygotic protein elicits cell-fate and more general axon-guidance defects that are not seen in zygotic mutants. The wrong number of chordotonal neurons and midline cells are generated, and we identify defects in precursor formation and EGF receptor-dependent inductive processes required for cell-fate specification. The number of neuronal precursors is variable in embryos that lack Spen. The levels of Suppressor of Hairless, a key transcriptional effector of Notch required for precursor formation, are reduced, as are the nuclear levels of Yan, a transcriptional repressor that regulates cell fate and proliferation downstream of the EGF receptor. We propose that Spen proteins regulate the expression of key effectors of signaling pathways required to specify neuronal cell fate and morphology.

To cover the receptive field completely and non-redundantly, neurons of certain functional groups arrange tiling of their dendrites. In Drosophila class IV dendrite arborization (da) neurons, the NDR family kinase Tricornered (Trc) is required for homotypic repulsion of dendrites that facilitates dendritic tiling. We here report that Sin1, Rictor, and target of rapamycin (TOR), components of the TOR complex 2 (TORC2), are required for dendritic tiling of class IV da neurons. Similar to trc mutants, dendrites of sin1 and rictor mutants show inappropriate overlap of the dendritic fields. TORC2 components physically and genetically interact with Trc, consistent with a shared role in regulating dendritic tiling. Moreover, TORC2 is essential for Trc phosphorylation on a residue that is critical for Trc activity in vivo and in vitro. Remarkably, neuronal expression of a dominant active form of Trc rescues the tiling defects in sin1 and rictor mutants. These findings suggest that TORC2 likely acts together with the Trc signalling pathway to regulate the dendritic tiling of class IV da neurons, and thus uncover the first neuronal function of TORC2 in vivo.

Neurobiologist and Nobel Laureate R. W. Sperry proposed an influential chemo affinity theory half a century ago ( 1 ) to explain the precision of neuronal wiring in the brain: “The cells and fibers of the brain must carry some kind of individual identification tags, presumably cytochemical in nature, by which they are distinguished one from another almost, in many regions, to the level of the single neurons” ( 1 ). He suggested that gradients of such identification tags on retinal neurons and on the target cells in the brain coordinately guide the orderly projection of millions of developing retinal axons. This idea was supported by the identification and genetic analysis of axon guidance molecules, including those that direct development of the vertebrate visual system ( 2 ). But axons not only perceive molecular cues on their targets; they also recognize those on fellow axons. On page 585 of this issue, Imai et al. provide a striking example of how axon-axon interactions organize olfactory axons before they reach their target in the brain ( 3 ).

A heat-stable growth factor has been purified to homogeneity from human placenta. Purification procedure involved extraction with acidic medium, precipitation using ethanol, DE-52 ion-exchange chromatography, and reversed-phase HPLC. The purified preparation has been named human placental growth factor-1 (HPGF-1), which simulates the proliferation of some cell lines, such as human amniotic cell, mouse marrow tumor cell, and mouse fibroblast cell. The growth factor has an approximate molecular weight of 1 900. It is a glycopeptide which contains a polypeptide chain consisting of 10 amino acid residues with molecular weight of 1 195. The N-terminal residue of the polypeptide chain part is phenylalanine. The molecular weight of non-peptide part is 682. The isoelectric point of the growth factor is pI 6.8.

Wiring up retinal neurons to the correct brain region during development is a feat of precision growth. A novel directional cue repels retinal neuron fibres, acting as a counterbalance to a known attractive signal.

The small GTPases Cdc42 and Rac regulate a variety of biological processes, including actin polymerization, cell proliferation, and JNK/mitogen-activated protein kinase activation, conceivably via distinct effectors. Whereas the effector for mitogen-activated protein kinase activation appears to be p65 PAK , the identity of effector(s) for actin polymerization remains unclear. We have found a putative effector for Drosophila Cdc42, Genghis Khan (Gek), which binds to Dcdc42 in a GTP-dependent and effector domain-dependent manner. Gek contains a predicted serine/threonine kinase catalytic domain that is 63% identical to human myotonic dystrophy protein kinase and has protein kinase activities. It also possesses a large coiled-coil domain, a putative phorbol ester binding domain, a pleckstrin homology domain, and a Cdc42 binding consensus sequence that is required for its binding to Dcdc42. To study the in vivo function of gek , we generated mutations in the Drosophila gek locus. Egg chambers homozygous for gek mutations exhibit abnormal accumulation of F-actin and are defective in producing fertilized eggs. These phenotypes can be rescued by a wild-type gek transgene. Our results suggest that this multidomain protein kinase is an effector for the regulation of actin polymerization by Cdc42.

Rho family GTP-binding proteins regulate various aspects of the actin cytoskeleton in a wide variety of organisms. Recent evidence suggests that they may also be important components of the signalling pathways that link the reception of extracellular cues to the regulation of the cytoskeleton in neuronal growth cones.

TheDrosophila Applgene encodes a transmembrane protein that is expressed exclusively in neurons. Amino acid comparisons show that APPL protein is a member of the amyloid precursor protein (APP)-like family of proteins. Similar to mammalian APP-family proteins, APPL is synthesized as a transmembrane holoprotein and cleaved to release a large secreted amino-terminal domain. Using immunocytochemical methods, we have analyzed the distribution of APPL in theDrosophilaCNS. Surprisingly, although APPL is present in all neuronal cell bodies, the neuropil shows stereotypic differential distribution. Double-labeling experiments with different neuronal markers were used to distinguish between APPL associated with neuronal processes or extracellular matrix. The distribution of APPL protein produced from transgenes encoding wild-type (APPL), secretion-defective (APPLsd), and constitutively secreted (APPLs) forms was analyzed in anAppl-deficient background to determine which APPL form is associated with different neuropil regions. We found that APPLsdprotein is enriched where APPL immunoreactivity coincides with neuronal processes. In contrast, APPLspreferentially localizes to those parts of the neuropil that show a diffuse APPL signal that rarely colocalizes with processes, and thus seems to be a component of the extracellular matrix. These data indicate that proteolytic cleavage and trafficking of APPL is differentially regulated in different neuronal populations. Through metamorphosis, APPL is especially abundant in growing axons and in areas where synapses are forming. Interestingly, in adult brains, APPL protein is enriched in the mushroom bodies and to a lesser extent in the central complex, structures involved in learning and memory.

To cover the entire sensory field once and only once, dendrites of some sensory system neurons avoid crossing other dendrites from the same type of neurons. In this issue of Cell , Emoto et al. (2004) provide first insight into the molecular mechanisms of dendritic tiling.

Cdc42 and Rac1 are members of the rho family of small guanosinetriphosphatases and are required for a diverse set of cytoskeleton-membrane interactions in different cell types. Here we show that these two proteins contribute differently to the organization of epithelial cells in the Drosophila wing imaginal disc. Drac1 is required to assemble actin at adherens junctions. Failure of adherens junction actin assembly in Drac1 dominant-negative mutants is associated with increased cell death. Dcdc42, on the other hand, is required for processes that involve polarized cell shape changes during both pupal and larval development. In the third larval instar, Dcdc42 is required for apico-basal epithelial elongation. Whereas normal wing disc epithelial cells increase in height more than twofold during the third instar, cells that express a dominant-negative version of Dcdc42 remain short and are abnormally shaped. Dcdc42 localizes to both apical and basal regions of the cell during these events, and mediates elongation, at least in part, by effecting a reorganization of the basal actin cytoskeleton. These observations suggest that a common cdc42-based mechanism may govern polarized cell shape changes in a wide variety of cell types.

In C. elegans, social and solitary feeding behavior can be determined by a single amino acid change in a G protein–coupled receptor. A new study identifies ligands for this receptor and suggests how changes in behavior evolve at the molecular level.

The small GTPases of the Rac/Rho/Cdc42 subfamily are implicated in actin cytoskeleton-membrane interaction in mammalian cells and budding yeast. The in vivo functions of these GTPases in multicellular organisms are not known. We have cloned Drosophila homologs of rac and CDC42, Drac1, and Dcdc42. They share 70% amino acid sequence identity with each other, and both are highly expressed in the nervous system and mesoderm during neuronal and muscle differentiation, respectively. We expressed putative constitutively active and dominant-negative Drac1 proteins in these tissues. When expressed in neurons, Drac1 mutant proteins cause axon outgrowth defects in peripheral neurons without affecting dendrites. When expressed in muscle precursors, they cause complete failure of, or abnormality in, myoblast fusion. Expressions of analogous mutant Dcdc42 proteins cause qualitatively distinct morphological defects, suggesting that similar GTPases in the same subfamily have unique roles in morphogenesis.

Drosophila Amyloid precursor protein-like (Appl) gene encodes a protein product, APPL, similar to the β-amyloid precursor protein (APP) associated with Alzheimer’s disease. The Drosophila APPL protein is neural-specific and is first detected in developing neurons concomitant with axonogenesis. APPL immunoreactivity is observed in neuronal cell bodies and in axons of both immature and mature neurons. Similar to APP, APPL is synthesized as a membrane-associated glycosylated precursor protein that is rapidly converted into a secreted form that lacks the cytoplasmic domain.

Background The Drosophila olfactory system exhibits very precise and stereotyped wiring that is specified predominantly by genetic programming. Dendrites of olfactory projection neurons (PNs) pattern the developing antennal lobe before olfactory receptor neuron axon arrival, indicating an intrinsic wiring mechanism for PN dendrites. These wiring decisions are likely determined through a transcriptional program. Results We find that loss of Brahma associated protein 55 kD (Bap55) results in a highly specific PN mistargeting phenotype. In Bap55 mutants, PNs that normally target to the DL1 glomerulus mistarget to the DA4l glomerulus with 100% penetrance. Loss of Bap55 also causes derepression of a GAL4 whose expression is normally restricted to a small subset of PNs. Bap55 is a member of both the Brahma (BRM) and the Tat interactive protein 60 kD (TIP60) ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes. The Bap55 mutant phenotype is partially recapitulated by Domino and Enhancer of Polycomb mutants, members of the TIP60 complex. However, distinct phenotypes are seen in Brahma and Snf5-related 1 mutants, members of the BRM complex. The Bap55 mutant phenotype can be rescued by postmitotic expression of Bap55, or its human homologs BAF53a and BAF53b. Conclusions Our results suggest that Bap55 functions through the TIP60 chromatin remodeling complex to regulate dendrite wiring specificity in PNs. The specificity of the mutant phenotypes suggests a position for the TIP60 complex at the top of a regulatory hierarchy that orchestrates dendrite targeting decisions.

Those who have observed brain sections stained by the Golgi method would agree with Ramon y Cajal1: “What an unexpected sight!...everything is simple, clear and unconfused. There is no longer any question of interpretation.” The Golgi method labels a very small population of random neurons in their entirety in an otherwise unstained brain, allowing visualization of dendritic trees of individual neurons and tracing of long distance axonal projections1. It is difficult to overestimate the enormous contribution this method has brought to neuroscience. Now imagine that one can use genetic manipulation to create, at will, singlylabeled neurons in intact brain tissue or in vivo, and moreover, knock out endogenous genes in only these labeled neurons. This will help us to assess the functions of genes in single clearly labeled neurons, increasing the power of phenotypic detection; avoid pleiotropic effects of genes by focusing on the tissue and developmental stages of interest; and determine cellautonomy of gene action. The cellular and molecular mechanisms that ensure the elaborate connection and function of the nervous system can then be dissected with single neuron resolution. How can one achieve this purpose? Genetically mosaic animals, in which a subset of somatic tissues have different genotypes compared to the rest of the organisms, have long been used to attack biological problems in Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila and mice. Traditionally, genetic mosaic animals were generated via spontaneous or X-ray-induced mitotic recombination, resulting in progeny homozygous mutant for a candidate gene of interest in the heterozygous (and therefore phenotypically normal in most cases) background. In mice, chimaeras can also be generated by mixing embryonic cells of different genotypes. With the introduction of sequence-specific recombination systems such as FLP/FRT or Cre/LoxP, not only can one dramatically Single neuron labeling and genetic manipulation

Background Proper function of the mammalian brain relies on the establishment of highly specific synaptic connections among billions of neurons. To understand how complex neural circuits function, it is crucial to precisely describe neuronal connectivity and the distributions of synapses to and from individual neurons. Methods and Findings In this study, we present a new genetic synaptic labeling method that relies on expression of a presynaptic marker, synaptophysin-GFP (Syp-GFP) in individual neurons in vivo. We assess the reliability of this method and use it to analyze the spatial patterning of synapses in developing and mature cerebellar granule cells (GCs). In immature GCs, Syp-GFP is distributed in both axonal and dendritic regions. Upon maturation, it becomes strongly enriched in axons. In mature GCs, we analyzed synapses along their ascending segments and parallel fibers. We observe no differences in presynaptic distribution between GCs born at different developmental time points and thus having varied depths of projections in the molecular layer. We found that the mean densities of synapses along the parallel fiber and the ascending segment above the Purkinje cell (PC) layer are statistically indistinguishable, and higher than previous estimates. Interestingly, presynaptic terminals were also found in the ascending segments of GCs below and within the PC layer, with the mean densities two-fold lower than that above the PC layer. The difference in the density of synapses in these parts of the ascending segment likely reflects the regional differences in postsynaptic target cells of GCs. Conclusions The ability to visualize synapses of single neurons in vivo is valuable for studying synaptogenesis and synaptic plasticity within individual neurons as well as information flow in neural circuits.