Goggatomy: A Method for Opening Small Cuticular Compartments in Arthropods for Physiological Experiments

Abstract

Most sense organs of arthropods are ensconced in small exoskeletal compartments that hinder direct access to plasma membranes. We have developed a method for exposing live sensory and supporting cells in such structures. The technique uses a viscous light cured resin to embed and support the structure, which is then sliced with a sharp blade. We term the procedure a "goggatomy," from the Khoisan word for a bug, gogga. To demonstrate the utility of the method we show that it can be used to expose the auditory chordotonal organs in the second antennal segment and the olfactory receptor neurons in the third antennal segment of Drosophila melanogaster, preserving the transduction machinery. The procedure can also be used on other small arthropods, like mosquitoes and mites to expose a variety of cells.

Turnover and activity-dependent transcriptional control of NompC in the Drosophila ear

“…Functionally, Pymetrozine acts as an agonist, irreversibly opening the Nan/Iav channel, rendering it insensitive to further stimulation. Previous studies showed that the initial strong Ca 2+ response ceases after a while (Kay et al, 2016); chordotonal neurons eventually become silent and unresponsive to mechanical stimulation (Ausborn et al, 2005;Nesterov et al, 2015) or a second Pymetrozine application (Kay et al, 2016). Notably though, chordotonal neurons do not die and still remain responsive to electrical stimulation (Warren and Matheson, 2018).…”

A sensitive and specific genetically-encoded potassium ion biosensor for in vivo applications across the tree of life

“…To drive expression in glia, UAS-pHuji-GINKO2 flies were crossed to w 1118 repo-Gal4/TM3, Sb. The head capsules of flies were opened using the goggatomy procedure [58], where the head is rapidly encapsulated in a photopolymerizable resin and then sliced to expose the live brain. Heads were cut transversely along a line through the joints between the second and third antennal segments.…”

Frequency organization of the Johnston organ in male mosquitoes (Diptera, Culicidae)

“…The morphological organization of the JO cells, we believe, clearly reflects the mechanisms of primary signal processing in the mosquito auditory system. Hypotheses could be rejected by the direct morphological study, particularly by staining of the sensory cells belonging to a single sensilla from the JO capsule to the axonal nerve, or backwards, or by direct recording of sensory cell responses using the recently developed 'goggatomy' technique (Kay et al, 2016).…”