LOCALIZATION IN THE NERVOUS-SYSTEM OF DROSOPHILA-MELANOGASTER OF A C-TERMINUS ANTIPEPTIDE ANTIBODY TO A CLONED DROSOPHILA MUSCARINIC ACETYLCHOLINE-RECEPTOR

Localization in the nervous system of Drosophila melanogaster of a clo ned Drosophila muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) was investiga ted using a polyclonal antiserum raised against a peptide correspondin g to the predicted receptor carboxyl terminal domain. Immunocytochemic al studies on fly sections indicated that the product of the Dm1 mAChR gene was localized in the antennal lobes and in other regions of the brain and thoracic nervous system, Intense staining in the glomeruli o f the antennal lobes, the region of the nervous system containing term inals of antennal olfactory sensory neurones and mechanosensory neuron es, indicates possible roles for this mAChR gene product in the proces sing of olfactory and mechanosensory signals in the fly. The staining of a discrete group of neurosecretory cells in the pars intercerebrali s of the brain indicates a possible new role for this mAChR in the reg ulation of neurosecretion. Very little staining is detected in the tho racic nervous system.