Labeling of Single Cells in the Central Nervous System of Drosophila melanogaster

Summary

We present a technique for labeling single neurons in the central nervous system (CNS) of Drosophila embryos, which allows the analysis of neuronal morphology by either transmitted light or confocal microscopy.

Abstract

In this article we describe how to individually label neurons in the embryonic CNS of Drosophila melanogaster by juxtacellular injection of the lipophilic fluorescent membrane marker DiI. This method allows the visualization of neuronal cell morphology in great detail. It is possible to label any cell in the CNS: cell bodies of target neurons are visualized under DIC optics or by expression of a fluorescent genetic marker such as GFP. After labeling, the DiI can be transformed into a permanent brown stain by photoconversion to allow visualization of cell morphology with transmitted light and DIC optics. Alternatively, the DiI-labeled cells can be observed directly with confocal microscopy, enabling genetically introduced fluorescent reporter proteins to be colocalised. The technique can be used in any animal, irrespective of genotype, making it possible to analyze mutant phenotypes at single cell resolution.

Introduction

Knowledge of neuronal morphology at the level of individual cells is a key prerequisite for understanding neuronal connectivity and CNS function. Thus, from the earliest days of neuroscience, researchers have sought to develop single cell labeling techniques (see ⁷ for a historical treatment of this issue). Classical methods such as Golgi staining provide excellent resolution of neuronal morphology but are not suitable if one seeks to label a particular type of neuron in a directed way, as staining occurs in a random fashion. The development of methods for staining single cells by intracellular or juxtacellular injection of dyes from a microelectrode addres....

Protocol

We have used two slightly different variants of the single neuron labeling method in our laboratories. The differences relate to the embryo collection, dechorionisation, devitellinisation and embryo filleting steps. Figure 1 gives an overview of the common and diverging steps of the variants.

1. Preparation of Micro-needles for Embryo Dissection and Micropipettes for Dye Injection

1. Glass needles for embryo dissection are drawn from glass capillaries (1 mm diameter and 0.1 mm wall thickness) with a Sutter puller (Science Instruments) or comparable equipment. Alternatively, an electrolytically sharpened 0.15 mm tun....

Results

Figure 4 illustrates typical results of the technique, we describe here. Figure 4A shows an example of a DiI filled single interneuron that was cleanly photoconverted. It nicely demonstrates the amount of detail these preparations offer. When viewed under DIC optics the spatial context of the labeled cell within the non-labeled surrounding tissue becomes visible, e.g. the position of the cell body within the cortex and of the fiber projection within the neuropile.

Discussion

One major advantage of Drosophila as a model system is that it allows analysis of development and function on the level of single cells. This is especially helpful regarding the nervous system, where the diversity of cell types is exceptionally high and the function and morphology of neighboring cells can be totally different.

The method we present here allows the labeling of individual neurons with a dye that can either be transformed into a permanent stain or examined directl.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
REAGENTS
DAB	Sigma-Aldrich	D-5905	2-3 mg/ml in 100 mM TRIS-Hcl, pH 7.4
DiI	Invitrogen/Molecular Probes	D-282	1 mg/ml in ethanol
Formaldehyde	Merck Millipore		7,4 % in PBS
Glycerol	Roth	3783	70% in PBS
Heptane Glue	Beiersdorf AG	Cello 31-39-30 *	dilute ca. 1 to 1 with n-Heptane
PBS			1x
TRIS	Roth	4855
Vectashield	Vector Laboratories	H1000
EQUIPMENT
Confocal Microscope	Leica	TCS SP2	to view and document labelings in fluorescence
DC - amplifier	Dragan Corporation	Cornerstone ION-100	to perform the labelings
Coverslips	Menzel	BB018018A1	18 x 18 mm
Coverslips	Menzel	BB024060A1	24 x 60 mm
Dissecting Microscope	Leica	MZ8	to prepare and disect embryos
Flat Capillaries	Hilgenberg		outer diameter 1 mm; glas thickness 0.1 mm
Injection Capillaries	Science Products	GB 100 TF 8P
Micromanipulator R	Leica		to perform the labelings
Model P-97	Sutter Instruments		to pull capillaries
Object Slides	Marienfeld Superior	1000000
Scientific Microscope	Zeiss	Axioskop 2 mot	to view labelings after photoconversion
Scientific Microscope	Olympus	BX50	to perform the labelings
Sony MC3255 Video Camera	Sony/AVT Horn	Sony MC3255	to record labelings after photoconversion
Table 1.