larval octopaminergic VPM neuron [FBbt_00047556]

larval octopaminergic VPM neuron

ID: FBbt_00047556

Octopaminergic, bilaterally-paired neuron of the larval central nervous system. Their cell bodies are found in the ventral cortex of the three subesophageal neuromeres (Selcho et al., 2014), the three thoracic neuromeres and the first abdominal neuromere, somewhat ventro-lateral to the VM fascicles (Vomel and Wegener, 2008). They form a cluster with the VUM neuron cell bodies of the same neuromere, but unlike the VUM neurons, the VPM neurons are restricted to the CNS. Most VPM neurons project anteriorly and cross the midline to arborize mainly in the contralateral neuropil (Selcho et al., 2012; Selcho et al., 2014).

For neurotransmitter expression analysis, Vomel and Wegener (2008) used Tdc2-GAL4 (tyrosine decarboxylase - implies presence of tyramine) and anti-Tbh (tyramine beta-hydroxylase - implies presence of octopamine). Selcho et al. (2012) used Tdc2-GAL4, validated with anti-Tbh, anti-p-tyramine and anti-conjugated octopamine, to visualize tyraminergic and octopaminergic neurons.