Using fluorescent indicators for in vivo quantification of spontaneous or evoked motor neuron presynaptic activity in transgenic zebrafish

Hiu-Tung Candy Wong; Catherine M Drerup

doi:10.1016/j.xpro.2022.101766

Using fluorescent indicators for in vivo quantification of spontaneous or evoked motor neuron presynaptic activity in transgenic zebrafish

STAR Protoc. 2022 Dec 16;3(4):101766. doi: 10.1016/j.xpro.2022.101766. Epub 2022 Oct 13.

Authors

Hiu-Tung Candy Wong¹, Catherine M Drerup²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA. Electronic address: hcwong3@wisc.edu.
² Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA. Electronic address: drerup@wisc.edu.

Abstract

In this protocol, we describe steps that utilize the optical clarity of the zebrafish larvae and the stereotyped motor neuron axon structure in the trunk to measure spontaneous or evoked motor neuron axon activity. This activity is detected with transgenic fluorescent indicators introduced into the larvae by zygotic injection. Fluorescent indicator intensity changes in the small neuromuscular junctions are quantified to measure the presynaptic calcium activity and consequent synaptic vesicle release. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Mandal et al. (2020).

Keywords: Microscopy; Model Organisms; Molecular/Chemical Probes; Neuroscience.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

Animals
Animals, Genetically Modified
Axons / physiology
Motor Neurons*
Neuromuscular Junction / physiology
Synaptic Vesicles / physiology
Zebrafish*

Grants and funding

R01 NS124692/NS/NINDS NIH HHS/United States