Circadian Changes in Dendrite Size of Drosophila Melanogaster
Author Information
Author(s): Weber Paweł, Kula-Eversole Elżbieta, Pyza Elżbieta
Primary Institution: Department of Cytology and Histology, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
Hypothesis
Changes in the size of L1 and L2 axons are correlated with changes in the size of dendrites.
Conclusion
The L2 dendrites exhibit circadian structural plasticity controlled by the per gene-dependent circadian clock.
Supporting Evidence
- The L2 dendrites are longest at the beginning of the day in both males and females.
- This rhythm was maintained in constant darkness but not in continuous light.
- The presence of the rhythm in cryb mutants indicates a new role of cry in the visual system.
Takeaway
The size of the dendrites in fruit flies changes throughout the day and night, getting longer in the morning and shorter at night.
Methodology
The plasticity of L2 dendrites was evaluated by measuring the outline of the L2 dendritic trees from confocal images of cross sections of L2 cells labeled with GFP.
Limitations
The study did not explore the effects of continuous light on dendritic morphology in detail.
Participant Demographics
Adult Drosophila melanogaster, both males and females.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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