Regensburg 2016 – wissenschaftliches Programm

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 22: Posters - Neurosciences

BP 22.5: Poster

Montag, 7. März 2016, 17:30–19:30, Poster C

Mechanotransduction in the pentamere organ of the Drosophila larva — •Achintya Prahlad¹, Martin Göpfert², and Christoph Schmidt¹ — ¹DPI Göttingen — ²Schwann-Schleiden Research Centre, Göttingen

The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster uses mechanosensation for several purposes. One class of specialized organs are the chordotonal organs, such as the antennal auditory organ of the adult, and the larval pentamere organ (lch5). The sensory neurons at the core of these organs have one dendrite, which terminates in a cilium believed to be the main mechanotransducer. The lch5 organ aids in locomotion by giving feedback to the CNS. We focus on this organ because its sensory neurons are well accessible to manipulation under the microscope.

Several molecular and anatomical aspects of these organs have been studied. However, an understanding of the internal transduction mechanics is still elusive. The cilia are not directly accessible, so a first step is to study the mechanics of the entire organ. Our specific question is how it deforms in response to muscle contractions - which is important since the basis of locomotion of the Drosophila larva is a complex peristaltic wave of muscle contractions.

We are using a preparation of the larva under buffer solution that allows us to directly contact the lch5. Our approach is to provide controlled push/pull stimuli to the organ using a tungsten needle, and to measure the mechanical relaxation. We are also using laser ablation to cut the tense ligament that the organ is attached to and observe the ensuing deformation of the sensory dendrites.