Key scientific discoveries have resulted from genetic studies of Drosophila melanogaster, using a multitude of transgenic fly strains, the majority of which are constructed in a genetic background containing mutations in the white gene. Here we report that white mutant flies from w1118 strain undergo retinal degeneration. We observed also that w1118 mutants have progressive loss of climbing ability, shortened life span, as well as impaired resistance to various forms of stress. Retinal degeneration was abolished by transgenic expression of mini-white+ in the white null background w1118. We conclude that beyond the classical eye-color phenotype, mutations in Drosophila white gene could impair several biological functions affecting parameters like mobility, life span and stress tolerance. Consequently, we suggest caution and attentiveness during the interpretation of old experiments employing white mutant flies and when planning new ones, especially within the research field of neurodegeneration and neuroprotection. We also encourage that the use of w1118 strain as a wild-type control should be avoided.
At early developmental stages, correlated neuronal activity is thought to exert a critical control on functional and structural refinement of synaptic connections. In the hippocampus, between postnatal day 2 (P2) and P6, network-driven giant depolarizing potentials (GDPs) are generated by the synergistic action of glutamate and GABA, which is depolarizing and excitatory. Here the rising phase of GDPs was used to trigger Schaffer collateral stimulation in such a way that synchronized network activity was coincident with presynaptic activation of afferent input. This procedure produced a persistent increase in spontaneous and evoked ␣-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxadepropionic acid-mediated glutamatergic currents, an effect that required calcium influx through postsynaptic L-type calcium channels. No potentiation was observed when a delay of 3 sec was introduced between GDPs and afferent stimulation. Pairing-induced potentiation was prevented by scavengers of endogenous BDNF or tropomyosin-related kinase receptor B (TrkB) receptor antagonists. Blocking TrkB receptors in the postsynaptic cell did not prevent the effects of pairing, suggesting that BDNF, possibly secreted from the postsynaptic cell during GDPs, acts on TrkB receptors localized on presynaptic neurons. Application of exogenous BDNF mimicked the effects of pairing on synaptic transmission. In addition, pairing-induced synaptic potentiation was blocked by ERK inhibitors, suggesting that BDNF activates the MAPK/ERK cascade, which may lead to transcriptional regulation and new protein synthesis in the postsynaptic neuron. These results support the hypothesis that, during a critical period of postnatal development, GABA A-mediated GDPs are instrumental in tuning excitatory synaptic connections and provide insights into the molecular mechanisms involved in this process.development ͉ giant depolarizing potential ͉ excitatory postsynaptic current ͉ synaptic pairing ͉ TrkB receptors S pontaneously occurring neuronal oscillations constitute a hallmark of developmental networks (1). In the immature hippocampus, giant depolarizing potentials (GDPs) represent a primordial form of synchrony between neurons, which precedes more organized forms of activity, such as the theta and gamma rhythms (2). These events, which are characterized by recurrent membrane depolarization with superimposed fast-action potentials separated by long and variable intervals of several seconds, are generated when the synaptic traffic and cell firing within the network increase to a threshold level (3). GDPs are synaptic in origin and involve the action of both glutamate and GABA, which, during a restricted period of postnatal development, is depolarizing and excitatory (4-6). The depolarizing action of GABA during GDPs results in the activation of voltagedependent calcium channels and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (7). GDPs also can be recorded in vivo in rat pups, in which they occur during immobility periods, sleep, and feeding (8). GDP-associated calcium waves are thought to be crucial...
Pulse-discharging, weakly electric fish actively electrolocate by emitting electric organ discharges and sensing changes provided by objects on transepidermal self-generated electric fields. In this way they create a series of discrete electric images on a cutaneous electroreceptive mosaic (Lissmann, 1958; cf. Bullock, 1986 cf. Bullock, , 1999Bastian, 1986). In this study we examine how fish discriminate between electrosensory images of different contrast. This kind of analysis requires unambiguous definition and measurement of the stimulus (input) and of the related performance of a sensory system (output; Marr, 1982). Our recent knowledge of electric image generation mechanisms allowed us to control and measure the electrosensory image (Caputi and Budelli, 1995;Rasnow, 1996;Caputi et al., 1998;Stoddard et al., 1999;Nelson and MacIver, 1999;Budelli and Caputi, 2000;Sicardi et al., 2000;Caputi et al., 2003). Whereas the input is a clearly defined physical entity, the output of a sensory system can be considered as a broad spectrum of 'intangible facts'. Although sensation and perception may exist independently of any behavioural response, only behaviour can be measured objectively (Spector, 2000). So, we restricted our research to the analysis of an orienting behavior ('a specific behavioural act directed towards the extraction of information from the environment'; Sokolov, 1990) elicited by changes in stimulus contrast, aiming to infer electrosensory processing mechanisms.Pulse gymnotids show a typical orienting behavior, the novelty response (Lissmann, 1958;Szabo and Fessard, 1965;Larimer and McDonald, 1968;Bullock, 1969; cf. Hopkins, 1983;Kramer, 1990;Moller, 1995). This behavior consists of a transient shortening of the inter-electric organ discharge (EOD) interval triggered by changes in nearby impedance. It has been frequently used to test a fish's electrolocation ability and to assess the effects of reafferent and exafferent input on pacemaker frequency (Bullock, 1969;Heiligenberg, 1980;Grau and Bastian, 1986;Hall et al., 1995;Zellick and von der Emde, 1995;Post and von der Emde, 1999).After studying novelty responses evoked by a short-circuit in the presence of different amounts of noise, Heiligenberg (1980)
Understanding fixed motor pattern diversity across related species provides a window for exploring the evolution of their underlying neural mechanisms. The electric organ discharges of weakly electric fishes offer several advantages as paradigmatic models for investigating how a neural decision is transformed into a spatiotemporal pattern of action. Here, we compared the far fields, the near fields and the electromotive force patterns generated by three species of the pulse generating New World gymnotiform genus Gymnotus. We found a common pattern in electromotive force, with the far field and near field diversity determined by variations in amplitude, duration, and the degree of synchronization of the different components of the electric organ discharges. While the rostral regions of the three species generate similar profiles of electromotive force and local fields, most of the species-specific differences are generated in the main body and tail regions of the fish. This causes that the waveform of the field is highly site dependant in all the studied species. These findings support a hypothesis of the relative separation of the electrolocation and communication carriers. The presence of early head negative waves in the rostral region, a species-dependent early positive wave at the caudal region, and the different relationship between the late negative peak and the main positive peak suggest three points of lability in the evolution of the electrogenic system: a) the variously timed neuronal inputs to different groups of electrocytes; b) the appearance of both rostrally and caudally innervated electrocytes, and c) changes in the responsiveness of the electrocyte membrane.
SUMMARYElectric fish evaluate the near environment by detecting changes in their self-generated electric organ discharge. To investigate impedance modulation of the self-generated electric field, this field was measured at the electrosensory fovea of Gymnotus carapo in the presence and absence of objects. Changes in local fields provoked by resistive objects were predicted by the change in total energy. Objects with capacitive impedance generated large variations in the relative importance of the different waveform components of the electric organ discharge. We tested the hypothesis that fish discriminate changes in waveform as well as increases in total energy using the novelty response, which is a behavioural response consisting of a transient acceleration of EOD frequency that can follow a change in object impedance. For resistive loads, the amplitude of novelty responses was well predicted by the increase in total energy. For complex loads, the amplitude of novelty responses was correlated not only with increases in total energy but also with waveform changes, consisting of reductions in the early slow negative wave and increases in the late sharp negative wave. The total energy and waveform effects appeared to be additive. These results indicate that G. carapo discriminates complex impedance based on an evaluation of different waveform parameters.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.