Identifying and characterizing genetic hearing defects in Drosophila

Probing the genetics of the Drosophila ear revealed that phototransduction proteins are employed by its chordotonal sensory neurons. We now discovered that visual opsins occur in all the chordotonal neurons along the body, contributing to their dendrite integrity and mechanosensory function and rendering proprioception and locomotion opsin-dependent. We propose to (i) test indications that mechanosensory opsin functions do not involve visual chromophore binding, (ii) dissect the roles of opsins in mechanosensory dendrite formation/maintenance, dendritic TRP channel localization, and mechanotransduction, (iii) probe auditory InaD and Arrestin 2 functions, and (iv) explore a newly discovered light response of the flies that works independently of the visual system. Pilot studies suggest that the project will continue to uncover striking aspects of sensory cell function and evolution.

DFG Programme Research Grants