– To prepare Drosophila larvae for a heat probe assay, collect animals of the desired developmental stage, and transfer single larvae onto a test plate with a thin film of water. The water allows the larvae 세스 move freely without sticking 세스 the plate surface.
Drosophila larvae detect noxious thermal stimuli through multidendritic sensory neurons in their epidermis known as nociceptors. These don’t fire until a certain sensory threshold is reached, such as potentially harmful high temperatures.
Set the heat probe 세스 a temperature that will overcome this sensory threshold, and cause the nociceptors 세스 fire. Gently press the tip of the probe against the larva 세스 apply heat. The larva will respond 세스 the noxious temperature with thermo-nociceptive behaviors, withdrawing from the probe. Stop when the larva exhibits a 360-degree 역할 away from the heat probe, or when a defined time has elapsed. Record the response time.
In the example protocol, we will see a demonstration of a localized heat probe assay on early third instar Drosophila larvae.
– First, preset the temperature of the thermal probe 세스 the desired set point. Use a paintbrush or forceps 세스 gently transfer an individual larva onto a flat platform, ensuring that the lava is covered by a thin film of water.
– In order 세스 minimize the variation in pressure, as well as 세스 ensure the correct location and angle of the heat probe, practice makes perfect.
– Gently press the probe tip against the larva at segment A4, applying light pressure with the tip at about a 45-degree angle between the probe and the surface of the larva. The pressure should cause a slight indentation on the surface of larva, and will usually be sufficient 세스 prevent locomotion. 계속 stimulating the larva until a withdrawal response is exhibited or until the 20-second cutoff is reached.
Responding larvae typically first show a preliminary behavior of lifting the head and tail, followed by the withdrawal behavior of rolling at least 360 degrees. Once the withdrawal behavior is initiated, release contact with the probe, and record the latency, or time taken 세스 withdrawal. If no withdrawal behavior is observed within 20 seconds, then the larva is a non-responder.