Neuronal assemblies of the Drosophila mushroom body

NK Tanaka, H Tanimoto, K Ito - Journal of Comparative …, 2008 - Wiley Online Library
NK Tanaka, H Tanimoto, K Ito
Journal of Comparative Neurology, 2008Wiley Online Library
The mushroom body (MB) of the insect brain has important roles in odor learning and
memory and in diverse other brain functions. To elucidate the anatomical basis underlying
its function, we studied how the MB of Drosophila is organized by its intrinsic and extrinsic
neurons. We screened for the GAL4 enhancer‐trap strains that label specific subsets of
these neurons and identified seven subtypes of Kenyon cells and three other intrinsic
neuron types. Laminar organization of the Kenyon cell axons divides the pedunculus into at …
Abstract
The mushroom body (MB) of the insect brain has important roles in odor learning and memory and in diverse other brain functions. To elucidate the anatomical basis underlying its function, we studied how the MB of Drosophila is organized by its intrinsic and extrinsic neurons. We screened for the GAL4 enhancer‐trap strains that label specific subsets of these neurons and identified seven subtypes of Kenyon cells and three other intrinsic neuron types. Laminar organization of the Kenyon cell axons divides the pedunculus into at least five concentric strata. The α′, β′, α, and β lobes are each divided into three strata, whereas the γ lobe appears more homogeneous. The outermost stratum of the α/β lobes is specifically connected with a small, protruded subregion of the calyx, the accessory calyx, which does not receive direct olfactory input. As for the MB extrinsic neurons (MBENs), we found three types of antennal lobe projection neurons, among which two are novel. In addition, we resolved 17 other types of MBENs that arborize in the calyx, lobes, and pedunculus. Lobe‐associated MBENs arborize in only specific areas of the lobes, being restricted along their longitudinal axes, forming two to five segmented zones in each lobe. The laminar arrangement of the Kenyon cell axons and segmented organization of the MBENs together divide the lobes into smaller synaptic units, possibly facilitating characteristic interaction between intrinsic and extrinsic neurons in each unit for different functional activities along the longitudinal lobe axes and between lobes. Structural differences between lobes are also discussed. J. Comp. Neurol. 508:711–755, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
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