Synchronized Bilateral Synaptic Inputs toDrosophila melanogasterNeuropeptidergic Rest/Arousal Neurons

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2017-10.2011
• Publication Date: 2011-06-01T16:54:16Z
• Authors: Ellena v. McCarthy; Ying Wu; Tagide deCarvalho; Christian Brandt; Guan Cao; Michael N. Nitabach
• Keywords: Neurons; 0301 basic medicine; Patch-Clamp Techniques; Brain; Receptors, Nicotinic; Receptors, GABA-A; Synaptic Transmission; Circadian Rhythm; Membrane Potentials; 03 medical and health sciences; Drosophila melanogaster; Receptors, GABA; Chloride Channels; Animals

Neuropeptide PDF (pigment-dispersing factor)-secreting large ventrolateral neurons (lLN v s) in the Drosophila brain regulate daily patterns of rest and arousal. These bilateral wake-promoting are light responsive integrate information from circadian system, sleep circuits, environment. To begin to dissect synaptic circuitry neural network, we performed simultaneous dual whole-cell patch-clamp recordings pairs lLN s. Both ipsilateral contralateral s exhibit synchronous rhythmic membrane activity with a periodicity ∼5–10 This is blocked by TTX, voltage-gated sodium blocker, or α-bungarotoxin, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist, indicating that action potential-dependent cholinergic connections required for activity. Since injecting current into one neuron pair had no effect on other pair, this suggests synchrony attributable inputs not coupling between further elucidate nature these s, activated variety neurotransmitter receptors measured effects network ionic conductances. measurements indicate possess excitatory ACh receptors, inhibitory ionotropic GABA A GluCl (glutamate-gated chloride) receptors. We demonstrate input, but GABAergic activity, whereas can modulate firing patterns. conclude neuropeptidergic control arousal receive mediated ACh.