Light Preference Assay to Study Innate and Circadian Regulated Photobehavior in Drosophila Larvae

Summary

Here we describe a light-dark preference test for Drosophila larva. This assay provides information about innate and circadian regulation of light sensing and processing photobehavior.

Abstract

Light acts as environmental signal to control animal behavior at various levels. The Drosophila larval nervous system is used as a unique model to answer basic questions on how light information is processed and shared between rapid and circadian behaviors. Drosophila larvae display a stereotypical avoidance behavior when exposed to light. To investigate light dependent behaviors comparably simple light-dark preference tests can be applied. In vertebrates and arthropods the neural pathways involved in sensing and processing visual inputs partially overlap with those processing photic circadian information. The fascinating question of how the light sensing system and the circadian system interact to keep behavioral outputs coordinated remains largely unexplored. Drosophila is an impacting biological model to approach these questions, due to a small number of neurons in the brain and the availability of genetic tools for neuronal manipulation. The presented light-dark preference assay allows the investigation of a range of visual behaviors including circadian control of phototaxis.

Introduction

Here we describe a behavioral assay based on the larval preference for dark (or light). Larvae react with a strong and stereotypic photonegative response during foraging stages (L1 to early L3)¹. The assay is aimed to assess the photophobic behavior of the larva and compares the light or dark preference of a group of larvae moving freely in a Petri dish coated with agar. This behavioral assay not only provides information about the sensitivity, integration and temporal plasticity of the visual system, it further provides hints on how light sensitivity and its process is controlled by the circadian system.

The Drosophila....

Protocol

1. Larval Rearing

1. Keep fly strains or genetic crosses in mass culture at 25 °C on corn meal medium under a 12-hr light-12-hr dark cycle in a fly incubator equipped with light and timer.
2. Dilute backer yeast in water to form a fluid paste (10 g of backer yeast diluted with 3-4 ml distilled H₂O). Add a small drop to the corn meal food and cover the vials. Let dry for at least one hour to avoid adult flies sticking to the yeast paste. Putting a small drop of yeast diluted in water on the surface of the food can enhance oviposition. Alternatively baker yeast paste, 20% acetic acid (AcOH) (Sigma Aldrich, Switzerland A6283-100ML) can be....

Results

Following the protocol described above, we tested light-dark preference in early third larval stadium of wild type Canton-S flies at two different circadian times CT0 and CT12. Adults were reared 12-hr light-12-hr dark and left to lay eggs for 12 hr. Larvae grow the first two days under the same light-dark regime. Since we wanted to test circadian modulation under constant conditions (free running of the circadian clock), larvae were then transferred to constant darkness for the next three days until test was performed .......

Discussion

The light preference test described takes advantage of the larval innate photobehavior. The assay is easy to establish, allows many repetitions at low cost and delivers valuable information about light sensing and processing. The experimental paradigm allows relatively quick quantification of how many individuals prefer light or dark. Such preference can be displayed as crude percentages or alternatively as Preference Index (PREF). The PREF is expressed as the difference of animals that preferred light and animals that p.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Agar	Sigma-Aldrich	A5093-500G	2.5%; Sigma-Aldrich, 9471 Buchs, Switzerland
Petri dishes	Greiner Bio-One GmbH	633180	90-mm diameter; Greiner Bio-One GmbH, 4550 Kremsmeinster, Austria
LEDs Lamp	OSARAM	80012 White	LED lamp, 80012 White
Environment Meter	PCE	PCE EM882	Lux, Temp, RH%
Thermostatic cabinet	Aqua Lytic (Liebherr)	ET636-6
Light timer	Timer T	6185.104	230V/50HZ (check specifications for your country)
Universal thermostat	Conrad	UT200
Humidifier	Boneco
Balck tape	Tesa		5 cm
Glue	Uhu
lncubator lamp	Phillips	Softtone	5W
Timer clock	Ziliss		Ziliss, Switzerland
Excel Software	Microsoft		Excel
Origin Software 8.5	OriginLab
Backer Yeast	Migros Switzerland
Iron support stand 17X28CM	Fisher Scientific	S47808
Acetic acid	Sigma Aldrich	A6283-100ML	20% acetic acid dilluted in H2O
Red light lamp	Phillips	PFE712E*8C
Spatula	Fisher Scientific	14-373-25A
Power supply	EA	EA PS 2042-06B	Optional
Aluminium foil	Prix Coop
Heater	GOON	NSB200C
Microwave Oven	Intertronic
Standard corn meal fly food
Destilled water