Cited by 224Neurobiology and Insect Physiology ResearchVisual perception and processing mechanismsNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research

Systematic analysis of the visual projection neurons ofDrosophila melanogaster. I. Lobula-specific pathways

Otsuna, Hideo, Ito, Kei·2006·The Journal of Comparative Neurology

Abstract

In insects, visual information is processed in the optic lobe and conveyed to the central brain. Although neural circuits within the optic lobe have been studied extensively, relatively little is known about the connection between the optic lobe and the central brain. To understand how visual information is read by the neurons of the central brain, and what kind of centrifugal neurons send the control signal from the central brain to the optic lobe, we performed a systematic analysis of the visual projection neurons that connect the optic lobe and the central brain of Drosophila melanogaster. By screening approximately 4,000 GAL4 enhancer-trap strains we identified 44 pathways. The overall morphology and the direction of information of each pathway were investigated by expressing cytoplasmic and presynapsis-targeted fluorescent reporters. A canonical nomenclature system was introduced to describe the area of projection in the central brain. As the first part of a series of articles, we here describe 14 visual projection neurons arising specifically from the lobula. Eight pathways form columnar arborization in the lobula, whereas the remaining six form tangential or tree-like arborization. Eleven are centripetal pathways, among which nine terminate in the ventrolateral protocerebrum. Terminals of each columnar pathway form glomerulus-like structures in different areas of the ventrolateral protocerebrum. The posterior lateral protocerebrum and the optic tubercle were each contributed by a single centripetal pathway. Another pathway connects the lobula on each side of the brain. Two centrifugal pathways convey signals from the posterior lateral protocerebrum to the lobula.

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Crossref · 10.1002/cne.21015

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  • VPNs target specific neuropils or optic glomeruli in the central brain.

    “VPNs target specific neuropils (for example, anterior optic tubercle (AOTU), posterior lateral protocerebrum (PLP) and posterior ventrolateral protocerebrum (PVLP)) or optic glomeruli60,61 in the central brain.”

    From Neuronal wiring diagram of an adult brain (2024) · cites this paper as [61]

  • There are 524 neurons that project from the central brain to the optic lobes, called visual centrifugal neurons (VCNs).

    “There are 524 neurons that project from the central brain to the optic lobes. We call these visual centrifugal neurons61 (VCNs).”

    From Neuronal wiring diagram of an adult brain (2024) · cites this paper as [61]

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Authors
Otsuna, H., & Ito, K.
Affiliations
National Institute for Basic Biology (JP)
Corresponding author
Ito, Kei
Venue
The Journal of Comparative Neurology
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2006
Volume
497
Issue
6
Pages
928-958
ISSN
  • 0021-9967 (ISSN-L)
  • 1096-9861
OpenAlex
W1981666992
Cited by
224
References
64
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 20 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 20 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 14 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 21
FWCI
3.80
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • The Journal of Comparative Neurology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Visual perception and processing mechanisms
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
Keywords
Drosophila melanogaster, optic lobe, lobula, central brain, visual processing, insect visual system
MeSH terms
Animals, Drosophila melanogaster, Female, Neurons, Optic Lobe, Nonmammalian, Visual Pathways

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