Cre-assisted fine-mapping of neural circuits using orthogonal split inteins

Bibliographic Details
Title: Cre-assisted fine-mapping of neural circuits using orthogonal split inteins
Authors: Haojiang Luan, Alexander Kuzin, Ward F Odenwald, Benjamin H White
Source: eLife, Vol 9 (2020)
Publisher Information: eLife Sciences Publications Ltd, 2020.
Publication Year: 2020
Collection: LCC:Medicine
LCC:Science
LCC:Biology (General)
Subject Terms: circuit mapping, neuroblast, Gal4-UAS, proboscis extension, dopamine, expression system, Medicine, Science, Biology (General), QH301-705.5
More Details: Existing genetic methods of neuronal targeting do not routinely achieve the resolution required for mapping brain circuits. New approaches are thus necessary. Here, we introduce a method for refined neuronal targeting that can be applied iteratively. Restriction achieved at the first step can be further refined in a second step, if necessary. The method relies on first isolating neurons within a targeted group (i.e. Gal4 pattern) according to their developmental lineages, and then intersectionally limiting the number of lineages by selecting only those in which two distinct neuroblast enhancers are active. The neuroblast enhancers drive expression of split Cre recombinase fragments. These are fused to non-interacting pairs of split inteins, which ensure reconstitution of active Cre when all fragments are expressed in the same neuroblast. Active Cre renders all neuroblast-derived cells in a lineage permissive for Gal4 activity. We demonstrate how this system can facilitate neural circuit-mapping in Drosophila.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 2050-084X
Relation: https://elifesciences.org/articles/53041; https://doaj.org/toc/2050-084X
DOI: 10.7554/eLife.53041
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/cb871df6b4eb4acd86e2175bfb4f466a
Accession Number: edsdoj.b871df6b4eb4acd86e2175bfb4f466a
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
More Details
ISSN:2050084X
DOI:10.7554/eLife.53041
Published in:eLife
Language:English