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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2020.10.13.337865

On the role of photoreceptor identity in controlling accurate wiring of the Drosophila visual circuit

Altschuler, S. J.·Ji, W.·Wu, L. F.
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Abstract

During development, neurons extend in search of synaptic partners. Precise control of axon extension velocity can therefore be crucial to ensuring proper circuit formation. How velocity is regulated - particularly by the extending axons themselves - remains poorly understood. Here, we investigate this question in the Drosophila visual system, where photoreceptors make precise connections with a specific set of synaptic partners that together create a circuit underpinning neural superposition (NSP). We used a combination of genetic perturbations and quantitative image analysis to investigate the influence of cell identity on growth cone velocity and subsequent spatial-temporal coincidence of presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons. Our study provides a case study of how cell autonomous properties of presynaptic axons play a pivotal role in controlling the dynamics of growing axons and determining the formation of a precise neuronal circuit.

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Altschuler, S. J., Ji, W., Wu, L. F.. 2020-10-13. On the role of photoreceptor identity in controlling accurate wiring of the Drosophila visual circuit. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.10.13.337865

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