Using optogenetics to assess neuroendocrine modulation of heart rate in Drosophila melanogaster larvae.

The Drosophila melanogaster heart has become a principal model in which to study cardiac physiology and development. While the morphology of the heart in Drosophila and mammals is different, many of the molecular mechanisms that underlie heart development and function are similar and function can be assessed by similar physiological measurements, such as cardiac output, rate, and time in systole or diastole. Here, we have utilized an intact, optogenetic approach to assess the neural influence on heart rate in the third instar larvae. To simulate the release of modulators from the nervous system in response to environmental influences, we have directed expression of channel-rhodopsin variants to targeted neuronal populations to assess the role of these neural ensembles in directing release of modulators that may affect heart rate in vivo. Our observations show that the activation of targeted neurons, including cholinergic, dopaminergic, and serotonergic neurons, stimulate the release of cardioactive substances that increase heart rate after the initial activation at both room temperature and in a cold environment. This parallels previous studies suggesting these modulators play a crucial role in altering heart rate when applied to exposed hearts and adds to our understanding of chemical modulation of heart rate in intact Drosophila larvae.

Effects of inhibiting mTOR with rapamycin on behavior, development, neuromuscular physiology and cardiac function in larval Drosophila.

Rapamycin and other mTOR inhibitors are being heralded as possible treatments for many human ailments. It is currently being utilized clinically as an immunomodulator after transplantation procedures and as a treatment for certain forms of cancer, but it has numerous potential clinical indications. Some studies have shown profound effects on life cycle and muscle physiology, but these issues have not been addressed in an organism undergoing developmental processes. This paper fills this void by examining the effect of mTOR inhibition by rapamycin on several different qualities of larval Drosophila Various dosages of the compound were fed to second instar larvae. These larvae were monitored for pupae formation to elucidate possible life cycle effects, and a delay to pupation was quantified. Behavioral deficits were documented in rapamycin-treated larvae. Electrophysiological measurements were taken to discern changes in muscle physiology and synaptic signaling (i.e. resting membrane potential, amplitude of excitatory post-synaptic potentials, synaptic facilitation). Pupation delay and effects on behavior that are likely due to synaptic alterations within the central nervous system were discovered in rapamycin-fed larvae. These results allow for several conclusions as to how mTOR inhibition by rapamycin affects a developing organism. This could eventually allow for a more informed decision when using rapamycin and other mTOR inhibitors to treat human diseases, especially in children and adolescents, to account for known side effects.

Modulatory effects on Drosophila larva hearts: room temperature, acute and chronic cold stress.

Ectothermic animals are susceptible to temperature changes such as cold shock with seasons. To survive through a cold shock or season, ectotherms have developed unique strategies. Our interest is focusing on the modulation of physiological functions during cold shock and prolonged cold exposure in the fruit fly. We use Drosophila melanogaster as a model system to investigate cardiac function in response to modulators (5-HT-serotonin, Ach-acetylcholine, OA-octopamine, DA-dopamine and a cocktail of modulators) in acute cold shock and chronic cold shock conditions. Semi-intact larvae are used to provide direct access to the modulators of known concentration in a defined saline. The results show that 10 µM 5HT is the only modulator which maintains heart rate for larva raised at 21 °C and then exposed to acute cold shock (10 °C). The modulators 1 µM OA, 10 µM 5HT, 1 mM Ach, 10 µM Ach and a cocktail of modulators (at 10 µM) increased the heart rate significantly in larvae which were cold conditioned (10 °C for 10 days). HPLC analysis indicated both OA and 5-HT decreased in chronic cold conditioning. The larvae maintain heart function in the cold which may be contributed by low circulating levels of modulators. The larval heart responds better to 5-HT, OA, and Ach in conditioned cold than for acute cold, suggesting some acclimation to cold.