Controls of dendritic arbor geometry and processing of inputs

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project Area: Mesoscopic neurocircuitry: towards understanding of the functional and structural basis of brain information processing
• Project/Area Number: 22115006
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas (Research in a proposed research area)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Review Section: Biological Sciences
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: UEMURA Tadashi 京都大学, 生命科学研究科, 教授 (80213396)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): USUI Tadao 京都大学, 大学院生命科学研究科, 助教 (10324708)
• Project Period (FY): 2010-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 樹状突起 / 神経回路 / 感覚神経 / ショウジョウバエ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Neurons receive sensory or synaptic inputs that strike on their dendritic arbors. We employed Drosophila Class IV dendritic arborization neuron (Class IV neuron) to study from and function of the arbors. Self-avoidance of dendritic branches is one of remarkable morphological features of dendritic arbors, and we showed that this self-avoidance requires a novel complex of the seven-pass transmembrane cadherin Flamingo (Fmi) and a LIM domain protein Espinas (Esn). We also performed genome-wide analyses and unraveled genetic programs that produce neuronal subtype-selective morphological traits, such as directional control of dendritic branch extension and overall arbor size. Furthermore, we examined responses of Class IV neurons to sensory inputs at molecular, cellular, and behavior levels, and proposed underlying mechanisms by which
Class IV neurons function as somatosensory polymodal nociceptors responsible for noxious thermal, mechanical, and light sensation.

Free Research Field

分子発生遺伝学　神経生物学