FlyPNS, a database of the Drosophila embryonic and larval peripheral nervous system.
BACKGROUND
The embryonic and larval peripheral nervous system of Drosophila melanogaster is extensively studied as a very powerful model of developmental biology. One main advantage of this system is the ability to study the origin and development of individual sensory cells. However, there remain several discrepancies regarding the organization of sensory organs in each abdominal segment A1-A7.


METHODS
We have constructed a web site called FlyPNS (for Fly Peripheral Nervous System) that consolidates a wide range of published and unpublished information about the embryonic and larval sensory organs. It communicates (1) a PNS pattern that solves the discrepancies that have been found in the recent literature, (2) the correspondence between the different nomenclatures that have been used so far, (3) a comprehensive description of each sensory organ, and (4) a list of both published and unpublished markers to reliably identify each PNS cell.


CONCLUSIONS
The FlyPNS database integrates disparate data and nomenclature and thus helps understanding the conflicting observations that have been published recently. Furthermore, it is designed to provide assistance in the identification and study of individual sensory cells. We think it will be a useful resource for any researcher with interest in Drosophila sensory organs.
Orgogozo
Virginie
V
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA. vorgogoz@princeton.edu
Grueber
Wesley B
WB
D000005:Abdomen / Q000294:innervation; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D019992:Databases as Topic; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000254:growth & development; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D009474:Neurons / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology; D017933:Peripheral Nervous System / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000737:chemistry / Q000196:embryology; D012679:Sense Organs / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology; D009626:Terminology as Topic
D015415:Biomarkers; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins
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