Repository logo
 

Achieving functional neuronal dendrite structure through sequential stochastic growth and retraction.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Ferreira Castro, André  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6841-1952
Baltruschat, Lothar 
Bahrami, Amirhoushang  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5841-2516

Abstract

Class I ventral posterior dendritic arborisation (c1vpda) proprioceptive sensory neurons respond to contractions in the Drosophila larval body wall during crawling. Their dendritic branches run along the direction of contraction, possibly a functional requirement to maximise membrane curvature during crawling contractions. Although the molecular machinery of dendritic patterning in c1vpda has been extensively studied, the process leading to the precise elaboration of their comb-like shapes remains elusive. Here, to link dendrite shape with its proprioceptive role, we performed long-term, non-invasive, in vivo time-lapse imaging of c1vpda embryonic and larval morphogenesis to reveal a sequence of differentiation stages. We combined computer models and dendritic branch dynamics tracking to propose that distinct sequential phases of stochastic growth and retraction achieve efficient dendritic trees both in terms of wire and function. Our study shows how dendrite growth balances structure-function requirements, shedding new light on general principles of self-organisation in functionally specialised dendrites.

Description

Keywords

D. melanogaster, computer model, dendrite function, dendrite growth, dendrite retraction, developmental biology, mechanotransduction, neuroscience, self-organisation, Animals, Animals, Genetically Modified, Dendrites, Drosophila, Drosophila Proteins, Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental, Green Fluorescent Proteins, Morphogenesis, Sensory Receptor Cells

Journal Title

Elife

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2050-084X
2050-084X

Volume Title

9

Publisher

eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd
Relationships
Is derived from: