Behavioral Genetic Analysis of the Spatial and Temporal Resolution of Vision in the Zebrafish, Danio Rerio

Download or read book Behavioral Genetic Analysis of the Spatial and Temporal Resolution of Vision in the Zebrafish, Danio Rerio written by Matt Smear and published by . This book was released on 2005 with total page 252 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: It is unclear whether the properties of neuronal circuits beyond the retina limit the spatial and temporal resolution of vision. The kinetics of neurotransmission at central synapses should limit an animal's ability to see rapid movements. Accurate retinotopy should be essential for the perception of fine spatial detail. We have tested these predictions using the zebrafish blumenkohl (blu) mutant. Positional cloning revealed that the blu gene encodes vglut2a, a vesicular glutamate transporter expressed by retinal ganglion cells. blu mutants' retinotectal synapses show diminished responses to high frequency electrical stimulation, which should reduce the visibility of fast-moving visual stimuli. Single retinal axons in blu mutants arborize over a larger area in the tectum, blurring the fine detail of the retinotopic map, which should compromise spatial acuity. We tested these hypotheses using assays for optomotor responses and prey capture. Our study provides experimental support for previously untested principles of sensory coding.