GSBS Student Publications
Title
Crucial role of Drosophila neurexin in proper active zone apposition to postsynaptic densities, synaptic growth, and synaptic transmission
GSBS Program
Neuroscience
UMMS Affiliation
Department of Neurobiology; Budnik Lab; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience Program
Date
9-6-2007
Document Type
Article
Medical Subject Headings
Animals; Cell Adhesion; Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal; Cell Differentiation; Drosophila Proteins; Drosophila melanogaster; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; Molecular Sequence Data; Motor Neurons; Mutation; Neuromuscular Junction; Presynaptic Terminals; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; Synapses; Synaptic Membranes; Synaptic Transmission
Disciplines
Neuroscience and Neurobiology
Abstract
Neurexins have been proposed to function as major mediators of the coordinated pre- and postsynaptic apposition. However, key evidence for this role in vivo has been lacking, particularly due to gene redundancy. Here, we have obtained null mutations in the single Drosophila neurexin gene (dnrx). dnrx loss of function prevents the normal proliferation of synaptic boutons at glutamatergic neuromuscular junctions, while dnrx gain of function in neurons has the opposite effect. DNRX mostly localizes to the active zone of presynaptic terminals. Conspicuously, dnrx null mutants display striking defects in synaptic ultrastructure, with the presence of detachments between pre- and postsynaptic membranes, abnormally long active zones, and increased number of T bars. These abnormalities result in corresponding alterations in synaptic transmission with reduced quantal content. Together, our results provide compelling evidence for an in vivo role of neurexins in the modulation of synaptic architecture and adhesive interactions between pre- and postsynaptic compartments.
Rights and Permissions
Citation: Neuron. 2007 Sep 6;55(5):741-55. Link to article on publisher's site
DOI of Published Version
10.1016/j.neuron.2007.08.002
Related Resources
Journal Title
Neuron
PubMed ID
17785181
Repository Citation
Li, Jingjun; Ashley, James A.; Budnik, Vivian; and Bhat, Manzoor A., "Crucial role of Drosophila neurexin in proper active zone apposition to postsynaptic densities, synaptic growth, and synaptic transmission" (2007). GSBS Student Publications. 525.
https://escholarship.umassmed.edu/gsbs_sp/525