Protocol

FM1-43 Labeling of Drosophila Larval Neuromuscular Junctions

Adapted from Drosophila Neurobiology (ed. Zhang et al.). CSHL Press, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA, 2010.

INTRODUCTION

Over the last two decades, the Drosophila larval neuromuscular junction (NMJ) has gained immense popularity as a model system for the study of synaptic development, function, and plasticity. With this model, it is easy to visualize synapses and manipulate the system genetically with a high degree of temporal and spatial control, which makes it ideal for resolving problems in synaptic physiology and development. Here, we describe a simple method for looking at vesicle recycling at the NMJ by labeling with FM1-43 dye.

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