The Effect of Optogenetically Activating Glia on Neuronal Function

Glia, or glial cells, are considered a vital component of the nervous system, serving as an electrical insulator and protective barrier from interstitial (extracellular) media. Certain cells (i.e., astrocytes, microglia, oligodendrocytes) within CNS have been shown to directly affect neural functions, but these properties challenging study due difficulty involved with selectively-activating specific glia. To overcome this hurdle, we selectively expressed light-sensitive ion channels channel rhodopsin, ChR2-XXL) in glia larvae adult Drosophila melanogaster. Upon activation ChR2, both adults showed rapid contracture body wall muscles animal remaining even after light was turned off. During ChR2-XXL activation, electrophysiological recordings evoked excitatory junction potentials confirmed train motor nerve activity. Additionally, when segmental nerves were transected exposed light, there no noted differences quantal responses. This suggests that is not enough expression influence axons detect our paradigm. Activation sufficient excite neurons.