Open AccessThe Drosophila auditory system
Author(s) -
BoekhoffFalk Grace,
Eberl Daniel F.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
wiley interdisciplinary reviews: developmental biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.779
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1759-7692
pISSN - 1759-7684
DOI - 10.1002/wdev.128
Subject(s) - neuroscience , biology , drosophila (subgenus) , nervous system , sensory system , auditory system , auditory pathways , neural development , antenna (radio) , model system , functional diversity , gene , computer science , computational biology , genetics , telecommunications , ecology
Development of a functional auditory system in Drosophila requires specification and differentiation of the chordotonal sensilla of Johnston's organ ( JO ) in the antenna, correct axonal targeting to the antennal mechanosensory and motor center in the brain, and synaptic connections to neurons in the downstream circuit. Chordotonal development in JO is functionally complicated by structural, molecular, and functional diversity that is not yet fully understood, and construction of the auditory neural circuitry is only beginning to unfold. Here, we describe our current understanding of developmental and molecular mechanisms that generate the exquisite functions of the Drosophila auditory system, emphasizing recent progress and highlighting important new questions arising from research on this remarkable sensory system. WIREs Dev Biol 2014, 3:179–191. doi: 10.1002/wdev.128 This article is categorized under: Gene Expression and Transcriptional Hierarchies > Cellular Differentiation Nervous System Development > Flies