A Temperature Gradient Assay to Determine Thermal Preferences of Drosophila Larvae

Summary

Here, we present a protocol to determine the preferred environmental temperature of Drosophila larvae using a continuous thermal gradient.

Abstract

Many animals, including the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, are capable of discriminating minute differences in environmental temperature, which enables them to seek out their preferred thermal landscape. To define the temperature preferences of larvae over a defined linear range, we developed an assay using a temperature gradient. To establish a single-directional gradient, two aluminum blocks are connected to independent water baths, each of which controls the temperature of individual blocks. The two blocks set the lower and upper limits of the gradient. The temperature gradient is established by placing an agarose-coated aluminum plate over the two water-controlled blocks so that the plate spans the distance between them. The ends of the aluminum plate that is set on the top of the water blocks defines the minimum and maximum temperatures, and the regions in-between the two blocks form a linear temperature gradient. The gradient assay can be applied to larvae of different ages and can be used to identify mutants that exhibit phenotypes, such as those with mutations affecting genes encoding TRP channels and opsins, which are required for temperature discrimination.

Introduction

Thermotaxis is employed by mobile animals to select an environment with the most favorable conditions^1,2,3. If the climate is excessively hot or cold, this behavior is vital for the survival. In addition, many animals are sensitive to very small differences in temperature in the comfortable range and seek out surroundings with an ideal temperature. This is of particular importance for poikilothermic organisms such as fruit flies, which equilibrate their body temperature with the environment. Assays to monitor larval thermotaxis have been instrumental in identifying and clarif....

Protocol

1. Equipment Fabrication and Assembling Apparatus for Gradient Assays

1. Fabricate the aluminum assay plates for the single-directional gradient assay.
   1. Trim and grind each aluminum assay plate (Figure 1A) out of a single piece of aluminum using a band saw and sharp vertical mill with the following dimensions: the outer size is 140 x 100 x 9 mm and the inner size is 130 x 90 x 8 mm (Figure 1B). Anodize the inside of each assay plate with black paint to make it easier to visualize the larvae and prevent rust.
      NOTE: Fabrication of the aluminum assay plates for the single-directional ....

Results

To establish an 18 °C-28 °C single-directional gradient, we set the temperatures of two water baths to 16.8 °C and 31 °C. We obtain the temperatures at 13 points by measuring the temperature at 26 positions within the upper and lower portions of all 6 zones, the border lines between the zones, and at the extreme ends of the agarose gel surface (Figure 2C, 2E). The temperature distribution along the gradient was nearly linear (Y = 0.9672*X + 1.......

Discussion

To ensure the success of this protocol, it is important to take steps to obtain adequate numbers of larvae to perform the experiments. These include pre-feeding the flies in yeast paste-containing vials for 2-3 d to improve egg laying. The vials need to be placed in a tray containing water vials and enclosed in a clear plastic bag, which maintains the moisture of the food and promotes effective feeding by the larvae while permitting exposure to normal light-dark cycles. However, the yeast paste should not be so soft that.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Gradient assay apparatus
PolyScience 9106, Refrigerated/Heated 6L Circulating Bath	Thomas Scientific	9106	This model is discontinued. Updated replacement models include: 1186R00 and 1197U04 for 120 V, 60 Hz, or 1184L08 and 1197U04 for 240 V, 50 Hz.
Aluminum assay plate (for single directional gradient)			Outer size: 14 x 10.1 x 0.9 cm, inner size: 12.9 x 8.7 x 0.8 cm, black anodized.
Aluminum plate (for bidirectional gradient)			25 x 22 x 0.2 cm, black anodized.
Aluminum block			Outer size: 25.5 x 5 x 1.4 cm, parameters of inner channels are shown in Figure 1D.
Connector for aluminum blocks and tubing	McMaster-Carr	91355K82
Tygon Sanitary Silicone Tubing	Tygon	57296	1/4" ID x 3/8" OD x 1/16" wall
Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Items and reagents for assay
Pestle	USA Scientific	17361	Pestle for 1.5 mL microcentrifuge tubes
Thermometer	Fluke	51II
Thermocouple	Fluke	K type
Universal microplate lid	Corning	6980A77
35 mm dish	Corning	9380D40
Labeling tape (for bidirectional gradient)	Fisher Scientific	15-951	Fisherbrand labeling tape 2 in x 14 yds
Agarose	Invitrogen	16500500	Prepare 1% solution
Sucrose	Sigma	S0389-5KG	Prepare 18% solution right before starting assay
Paint brush	Fisher Scientific	11860
50 mL centrifuge tubes	Denville	C1062-P
Scoopula	Fisher Scientific	14-357Q
500 mL round wide-mouth bottle	Pyrex	1395-500
Cell strainer (300 mm pore)	PluriSelect	43-50300	Optional item for larvae washing
Cardboard box (vial tray)	Genesee Scientific	FS32-124
Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Drosophila food
Distilled water			22,400 mL
Cornmeal, yellow (extra fine mesh,flocked) 20 kg	LabScientific Inc.	NC0535320	1,609 g
Brewers yeast 100 lbs	MP Biomedicals	ICN90331280	379 g
NutriSoy® Soy Flour (10 kg/unit)	Genesee Scientific	62-115	221 g
Drosophila Agar, Type II (5 kg)	Genesee Scientific	66-103	190 g
Karo light corn syrup	Karo		1,700 mL
Methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate (suspend in 200 proof ethanol)	Sigma Aldrich	H5501-5KG	72 g/240 mL
Propionic acid puriss. p.a.,>99.5% (GC)	Sigma Aldrich	81910-1 L	108 mL
Phosphoric acid ACS reagent, ≥85 wt. % in H2O	Sigma Aldrich	438081-500 mL	8.5 mL