Analysis of growth cone extension in standardized coordinates highlights self-organization rules during wiring of the Drosophila visual system

Abstract

A fascinating question in neuroscience is how ensembles of neurons, originating from different locations, extend to the proper place and by the right time to create precise circuits. Here, we investigate this question in the Drosophila visual system, where photoreceptors re-sort in the lamina to form the crystalline-like neural superposition circuit. The repeated nature of this circuit allowed us to establish a data-driven, standardized coordinate system for quantitative comparison of sparsely perturbed growth cones within and across specimens. Using this common frame of reference, we investigated the extension of the R3 and R4 photoreceptors, which is the only pair of symmetrically arranged photoreceptors with asymmetric target choices. Specifically, we found that extension speeds of the R3 and R4 growth cones are inherent to their cell identities. The ability to parameterize local regularity in tissue organization facilitated the characterization of ensemble cellular behaviors and dissection of mechanisms governing neural circuit formation. Author summary One of the most fascinating questions in neuroscience is how complex neural circuits form. Here, we investigate self-organization principles during neuronal development in the visual circuit of fruit flies. We utilized the regularity of the tissue environment to establish a developmental coordinate system during wiring, which allowed us to uncover a role for cell identity in governing neuronal growth cone extension speed. Our study highlights the importance of velocity control in the precise formation of complex neuronal circuits, as well as the use of developmental coordinates in identifying ensemble behaviors of tissue patterning.