果蝇中枢神经元受体和离子通道电生理学研究进展

Electrophysiology of neuroreceptors and ion channels in Drosophila central neurons

果蝇这个良好的实验材料使我们能将遗传学、分子生物学和电生理学等各种方法有机地结合起来 ,从而为研究无脊椎乃至脊椎动物神经元的信号转导、神经网络的信息加工及中枢神经系统活动规律等提供了一条捷径。自 2 0世纪 70年代以来 ,很多研究都致力于果蝇基因的克隆和DNA测序工作。然而 ,新近果蝇基因组序列测定的完成标志着对果蝇的研究已进入了后基因组时代 ,通过直接的生理学特别是电生理学方法去研究果蝇基因的生物学功能已成为当前的主要任务。

As one of the best models in biology, Drosophila provides an excellent combination of genetics, molecular biology, and electrophysiology in studying signal transduction of neurons, signal proce ssing of neuronal network as well as the nature of the central nervous system in invertebrates and vertebrates. Since 1970' s, many researchers dedicated to ge ne cloning and DNA sequencing of Drosophila . However, the post genomics era is coming when all the genes in Drosophila have been identified recently. T hus, direct physiological, especially electrophysiological examinations are play ing a major role in the studies of gene functions in Drosophila at present. This review focuses on the neuroreceptors and ion channels in Drosophila cen tral neurons.