Dynamic labelling of neural connections in multiple colours by trans-synaptic fluorescence complementation

Lindsey J. Macpherson, Emanuela E. Zaharieva, Patrick J. Kearney, Michael H. Alpert, Tzu-Yang Lin, Zeynep Turan, Chi-Hon Lee and Marco Gallio ()
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Lindsey J. Macpherson: Columbia University
Emanuela E. Zaharieva: Northwestern University
Patrick J. Kearney: Northwestern University
Michael H. Alpert: Northwestern University
Tzu-Yang Lin: Section on Neuronal Connectivity, Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Development, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health
Zeynep Turan: Columbia University
Chi-Hon Lee: Section on Neuronal Connectivity, Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Development, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health
Marco Gallio: Northwestern University

Nature Communications, 2015, vol. 6, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Determining the pattern of activity of individual connections within a neural circuit could provide insights into the computational processes that underlie brain function. Here, we develop new strategies to label active synapses by trans-synaptic fluorescence complementation in Drosophila. First, we demonstrate that a synaptobrevin-GRASP chimera functions as a powerful activity-dependent marker for synapses in vivo. Next, we create cyan and yellow variants, achieving activity-dependent, multi-colour fluorescence reconstitution across synapses (X-RASP). Our system allows for the first time retrospective labelling of synapses (rather than whole neurons) based on their activity, in multiple colours, in the same animal. As individual synapses often act as computational units in the brain, our method will promote the design of experiments that are not possible using existing techniques. Moreover, our strategies are easily adaptable to circuit mapping in any genetic system.

Date: 2015
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:nat:natcom:v:6:y:2015:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms10024

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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10024

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