Replication Data for "Functional labeling of individualized postsynaptic neurons using optogenetics and trans-Tango in Drosophila (FLIPSOT)"

A population of neurons interconnected by synapses constitutes a neural circuit, which performs specific functions upon activation. It is essential to identify both anatomical and functional entities of neural circuits to comprehend the components and processes necessary for healthy brain function and the changes that characterize brain disorders. To date, few methods are available to study these two aspects of a neural circuit simultaneously. In this study, we developed FLIPSOT, or functional labeling of individualized postsynaptic neurons using optogenetics and trans-Tango. FLIPSOT uses (1) trans-Tango to access postsynaptic neurons genetically, (2) optogenetic approaches to activate (FLIPSOTa) or inhibit (FLIPSOTi) postsynaptic neurons in a random and sparse manner, and (3) fluorescence markers tagged with optogenetic genes to visualize these neurons. Therefore, FLIPSOT allows using a presynaptic driver to identify the behavioral function of individual postsynaptic neurons. It is readily applied to identify functions of individual postsynaptic neurons and has the potential to be adapted for use in mammalian circuits.

由突触相互连接的神经元群体构成神经环路（neural circuit），其在激活后可执行特定功能。明确神经环路的解剖学与功能实体，对于解析维持健康脑功能所需的组分与过程，以及脑部疾病的特征性病理变化至关重要。迄今为止，能够同时研究神经环路这两个维度的方法寥寥无几。本研究开发了FLIPSOT，即基于光遗传学（optogenetics）与trans-Tango技术的个体化突触后神经元功能标记法。FLIPSOT的技术流程包含三部分：(1) 借助trans-Tango实现突触后神经元的遗传靶向；(2) 采用光遗传学手段以随机稀疏的方式激活（FLIPSOTa）或抑制（FLIPSOTi）突触后神经元；(3) 利用融合了光遗传基因的荧光标记物可视化上述神经元。因此，FLIPSOT可借助突触前驱动工具，实现单个突触后神经元行为功能的鉴定。该方法可便捷地用于鉴定单个突触后神经元的功能，且具备适配哺乳动物神经环路研究的潜力。