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Sakagami T, Watanabe K, Hamada M, Sakamoto T, Hatabu T, Ando M. Structure of putative epidermal sensory receptors in an acoel flatworm, Praesagittifera naikaiensis. Cell Tissue Res 2024; 395:299-311. [PMID: 38305882 PMCID: PMC10904500 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-024-03865-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Acoel flatworms possess epidermal sensory-receptor cells on their body surfaces and exhibit behavioral repertoires such as geotaxis and phototaxis. Acoel epidermal sensory receptors should be mechanical and/or chemical receptors; however, the mechanisms of their sensory reception have not been elucidated. We examined the three-dimensional relationship between epidermal sensory receptors and their innervation in an acoel flatworm, Praesagittifera naikaiensis. The distribution of the sensory receptors was different between the ventral and dorsal sides of worms. The nervous system was mainly composed of a peripheral nerve net, an anterior brain, and three pairs of longitudinal nerve cords. The nerve net was located closer to the body surface than the brain and the nerve cords. The sensory receptors have neural connections with the nerve net in the entire body of worms. We identified five homologs of polycystic kidney disease (PKD): PKD1-1, PKD1-2, PKD1-3, PKD1-4, and, PKD2, from the P. naikaiensis genome. All of these PKD genes were implied to be expressed in the epidermal sensory receptors of P. naikaiensis. PKD1-1 and PKD2 were dispersed across the entire body of worms. PKD1-2, PKD1-3, and PKD1-4 were expressed in the anterior region of worms. PKD1-4 was also expressed around the mouth opening. Our results indicated that P. naikaiensis possessed several types of epidermal sensory receptors to convert various environmental stimuli into electrical signals via the PKD channels and transmit the signals to afferent nerve and/or effector cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tosuke Sakagami
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology and Pharmacology, Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan
| | - Kaho Watanabe
- Laboratory of Cell Physiology, Department of Science Education, Graduate School of Education, Okayama University, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan
| | - Mayuko Hamada
- Ushimado Marine Institute, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama, 701-4303, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Sakamoto
- Ushimado Marine Institute, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama, 701-4303, Japan
| | - Toshimitsu Hatabu
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology and Pharmacology, Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan
| | - Motonori Ando
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology and Pharmacology, Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan.
- Laboratory of Cell Physiology, Department of Science Education, Graduate School of Education, Okayama University, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan.
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Structural analysis of the statocyst and nervous system of Praesagittifera naikaiensis, an acoel flatworm, during development after hatching. ZOOMORPHOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00435-021-00521-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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3
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Fan Y, Niu X, Huang L, Gross R, Lu H, Hawkins M, Yuan Y, Miao M, Liu Y, Xiao F. A novel BSD domain-containing transcription factor controls vegetative growth, leaf senescence, and fruit quality in tomato. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2020; 71:6945-6957. [PMID: 32845982 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/eraa393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BSD (mammalian BTF2-like transcription factors, synapse-associated proteins, and DOS2-like proteins) is a conserved domain that exists in a variety of organisms, but its function has not been well studied. Here, we identified a novel BSD domain-containing protein (SlBSD1) in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Biochemical and microscopy assays indicated that SlBSD1 is a functional transcription factor that is predominantly localized in the nucleus. Loss-of-function and overexpression analyses suggested that SlBSD1 is a novel regulator of vegetative growth and leaf senescence in tomato. SlBSD1-knockdown (-KD) plants exhibited retarded vegetative growth and precocious leaf senescence, whereas SlBSD1-overexpression (-OX) plants displayed the opposite phenotypes. The negative role of SlBSD1 in leaf senescence was also supported by RNA-seq analysis comparing leaf tissues from SlBSD1-KD and wild-type plants. In addition, contents of soluble solids were altered in fruits in the SlBSD1-KD and SlBSD1-OX plants. Taken together, our data suggest that the novel transcription factor SlBSD1 plays important roles in controlling fruit quality and other physiological processes in tomato, including vegetative growth and leaf senescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youhong Fan
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | - Xiangli Niu
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | - Li Huang
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | - Rachel Gross
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | - Han Lu
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | - Madigan Hawkins
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | - Yulin Yuan
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | - Min Miao
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yongsheng Liu
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui, China
- School of Horticulture, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Bio-resource and Eco-environment, College of Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Fangming Xiao
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
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Transcriptomic and proteomic profiling of glial versus neuronal Dube3a overexpression reveals common molecular changes in gliopathic epilepsies. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 141:104879. [PMID: 32344153 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.104879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy affects millions of individuals worldwide and many cases are pharmacoresistant. Duplication 15q syndrome (Dup15q) is a genetic disorder caused by duplications of the 15q11.2-q13.1 region. Phenotypes include a high rate of pharmacoresistant epilepsy. We developed a Dup15q model in Drosophila melanogaster that recapitulates seizures in Dup15q by over-expressing fly Dube3a or human UBE3A in glial cells, but not neurons, implicating glia in the Dup15q epilepsy phenotype. We compared Dube3a overexpression in glia (repo>Dube3a) versus neurons (elav>Dube3a) using transcriptomics and proteomics of whole fly head extracts. We identified 851 transcripts differentially regulated in repo>Dube3a, including an upregulation of glutathione S-transferase (GST) genes that occurred cell autonomously within glial cells. We reliably measured approximately 2,500 proteins by proteomics, most of which were also quantified at the transcript level. Combined transcriptomic and proteomic analysis revealed an enrichment of 21 synaptic transmission genes downregulated at the transcript and protein in repo>Dube3a indicating synaptic proteins change in a cell non-autonomous manner in repo>Dube3a flies. We identified 6 additional glia originating bang-sensitive seizure lines and found upregulation of GSTs in 4 out of these 6 lines. These data suggest GST upregulation is common among gliopathic seizures and may ultimately provide insight for treating epilepsy.
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Blanco-Redondo B, Nuwal N, Kneitz S, Nuwal T, Halder P, Liu Y, Ehmann N, Scholz N, Mayer A, Kleber J, Kähne T, Schmitt D, Sadanandappa MK, Funk N, Albertova V, Helfrich-Förster C, Ramaswami M, Hasan G, Kittel RJ, Langenhan T, Gerber B, Buchner E. Implications of the Sap47 null mutation for synapsin phosphorylation, longevity, climbing proficiency and behavioural plasticity in adult Drosophila. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 222:jeb.203505. [PMID: 31488622 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.203505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The Sap47 gene of Drosophila melanogaster encodes a highly abundant 47 kDa synaptic vesicle-associated protein. Sap47 null mutants show defects in synaptic plasticity and larval olfactory associative learning but the molecular function of Sap47 at the synapse is unknown. We demonstrate that Sap47 modulates the phosphorylation of another highly abundant conserved presynaptic protein, synapsin. Site-specific phosphorylation of Drosophila synapsin has repeatedly been shown to be important for behavioural plasticity but it was not known where these phospho-synapsin isoforms are localized in the brain. Here, we report the distribution of serine-6-phosphorylated synapsin in the adult brain and show that it is highly enriched in rings of synapses in the ellipsoid body and in large synapses near the lateral triangle. The effects of knockout of Sap47 or synapsin on olfactory associative learning/memory support the hypothesis that both proteins operate in the same molecular pathway. We therefore asked if this might also be true for other aspects of their function. We show that knockout of Sap47 but not synapsin reduces lifespan, whereas knockout of Sap47 and synapsin, either individually or together, affects climbing proficiency, as well as plasticity in circadian rhythms and sleep. Furthermore, electrophysiological assessment of synaptic properties at the larval neuromuscular junction (NMJ) reveals increased spontaneous synaptic vesicle fusion and reduced paired pulse facilitation in Sap47 and synapsin single and double mutants. Our results imply that Sap47 and synapsin cooperate non-uniformly in the control of synaptic properties in different behaviourally relevant neuronal networks of the fruitfly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Blanco-Redondo
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University of Würzburg, 97078 Würzburg, Germany .,Department of Neurobiology and Genetics, Biocenter of the University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany.,Rudolf Schönheimer Institute of Biochemistry, Division of General Biochemistry, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nidhi Nuwal
- Department of Neurobiology and Genetics, Biocenter of the University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Kneitz
- Department of Physiological Chemistry, Biocenter of the University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Tulip Nuwal
- Department of Neurobiology and Genetics, Biocenter of the University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Partho Halder
- Department of Neurobiology and Genetics, Biocenter of the University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Yiting Liu
- Department of Neurobiology and Genetics, Biocenter of the University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Nadine Ehmann
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology, University of Würzburg, 97070 Würzburg, Germany.,Department of Animal Physiology, Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.,Carl-Ludwig-Institute for Physiology, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nicole Scholz
- Rudolf Schönheimer Institute of Biochemistry, Division of General Biochemistry, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.,Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology, University of Würzburg, 97070 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Annika Mayer
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University of Würzburg, 97078 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jörg Kleber
- Leibniz Institute of Neurobiology, 39118 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Thilo Kähne
- Institute of Experimental Internal Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Dominique Schmitt
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University of Würzburg, 97078 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Madhumala K Sadanandappa
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University of Würzburg, 97078 Würzburg, Germany.,National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, Karnataka 560065, India
| | - Natalja Funk
- Department of Neurobiology and Genetics, Biocenter of the University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Viera Albertova
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University of Würzburg, 97078 Würzburg, Germany.,Department of Neurobiology and Genetics, Biocenter of the University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Charlotte Helfrich-Förster
- Department of Neurobiology and Genetics, Biocenter of the University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Mani Ramaswami
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, Karnataka 560065, India
| | - Gaiti Hasan
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, Karnataka 560065, India
| | - Robert J Kittel
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology, University of Würzburg, 97070 Würzburg, Germany.,Department of Animal Physiology, Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.,Carl-Ludwig-Institute for Physiology, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Tobias Langenhan
- Rudolf Schönheimer Institute of Biochemistry, Division of General Biochemistry, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.,Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology, University of Würzburg, 97070 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Bertram Gerber
- Leibniz Institute of Neurobiology, 39118 Magdeburg, Germany.,Institute of Biology, University of Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany.,Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Erich Buchner
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University of Würzburg, 97078 Würzburg, Germany .,Department of Neurobiology and Genetics, Biocenter of the University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
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R von Collenberg C, Schmitt D, Rülicke T, Sendtner M, Blum R, Buchner E. An essential role of the mouse synapse-associated protein Syap1 in circuits for spontaneous motor activity and rotarod balance. Biol Open 2019; 8:bio.042366. [PMID: 31118165 PMCID: PMC6602322 DOI: 10.1242/bio.042366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Synapse-associated protein 1 (Syap1) is the mammalian homologue of synapse-associated protein of 47 kDa (Sap47) in Drosophila. Genetic deletion of Sap47 leads to deficiencies in short-term plasticity and associative memory processing in flies. In mice, Syap1 is prominently expressed in the nervous system, but its function is still unclear. We have generated Syap1 knockout mice and tested motor behaviour and memory. These mice are viable and fertile but display distinct deficiencies in motor behaviour. Locomotor activity specifically appears to be reduced in early phases when voluntary movement is initiated. On the rotarod, a more demanding motor test involving control by sensory feedback, Syap1-deficient mice dramatically fail to adapt to accelerated speed or to a change in rotation direction. Syap1 is highly expressed in cerebellar Purkinje cells and cerebellar nuclei. Thus, this distinct motor phenotype could be due to a so-far unknown function of Syap1 in cerebellar sensorimotor control. The observed motor defects are highly specific since other tests in the modified SHIRPA exam, as well as cognitive tasks like novel object recognition, Pavlovian fear conditioning, anxiety-like behaviour in open field dark-light transition and elevated plus maze do not appear to be affected in Syap1 knockout mice. Summary: Knockout of the Syap1 gene in mice causes a distinct motor behaviour phenotype characterised by reduced initial locomotor activity and impaired rotarod performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cora R von Collenberg
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Versbacher Str. 5, 97078 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Dominique Schmitt
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Versbacher Str. 5, 97078 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Rülicke
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Sendtner
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Versbacher Str. 5, 97078 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Robert Blum
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Versbacher Str. 5, 97078 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Erich Buchner
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Versbacher Str. 5, 97078 Würzburg, Germany
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Andrés M, Seifert M, Spalthoff C, Warren B, Weiss L, Giraldo D, Winkler M, Pauls S, Göpfert M. Auditory Efferent System Modulates Mosquito Hearing. Curr Biol 2016; 26:2028-2036. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2016.05.077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2016] [Revised: 05/13/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Schmitt D, Funk N, Blum R, Asan E, Andersen L, Rülicke T, Sendtner M, Buchner E. Initial characterization of a Syap1 knock-out mouse and distribution of Syap1 in mouse brain and cultured motoneurons. Histochem Cell Biol 2016; 146:489-512. [PMID: 27344443 PMCID: PMC5037158 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-016-1457-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/11/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Synapse-associated protein 1 (Syap1/BSTA) is the mammalian homologue of Sap47 (synapse-associated protein of 47 kDa) in Drosophila. Sap47 null mutant larvae show reduced short-term synaptic plasticity and a defect in associative behavioral plasticity. In cultured adipocytes, Syap1 functions as part of a complex that phosphorylates protein kinase Bα/Akt1 (Akt1) at Ser(473) and promotes differentiation. The role of Syap1 in the vertebrate nervous system is unknown. Here, we generated a Syap1 knock-out mouse and show that lack of Syap1 is compatible with viability and fertility. Adult knock-out mice show no overt defects in brain morphology. In wild-type brain, Syap1 is found widely distributed in synaptic neuropil, notably in regions rich in glutamatergic synapses, but also in perinuclear structures associated with the Golgi apparatus of specific groups of neuronal cell bodies. In cultured motoneurons, Syap1 is located in axons and growth cones and is enriched in a perinuclear region partially overlapping with Golgi markers. We studied in detail the influence of Syap1 knockdown and knockout on structure and development of these cells. Importantly, Syap1 knockout does not affect motoneuron survival or axon growth. Unexpectedly, neither knockdown nor knockout of Syap1 in cultured motoneurons is associated with reduced Ser(473) or Thr(308) phosphorylation of Akt. Our findings demonstrate a widespread expression of Syap1 in the mouse central nervous system with regionally specific distribution patterns as illustrated in particular for olfactory bulb, hippocampus, and cerebellum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique Schmitt
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University of Würzburg, Versbacher Str. 5, 97078, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Natalia Funk
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University of Würzburg, Versbacher Str. 5, 97078, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Robert Blum
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University of Würzburg, Versbacher Str. 5, 97078, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Esther Asan
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Würzburg, 97070, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Lill Andersen
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Rülicke
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Sendtner
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University of Würzburg, Versbacher Str. 5, 97078, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Erich Buchner
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University of Würzburg, Versbacher Str. 5, 97078, Würzburg, Germany.
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Kleber J, Chen YC, Michels B, Saumweber T, Schleyer M, Kähne T, Buchner E, Gerber B. Synapsin is required to "boost" memory strength for highly salient events. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 23:9-20. [PMID: 26670182 PMCID: PMC4749839 DOI: 10.1101/lm.039685.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2015] [Accepted: 10/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Synapsin is an evolutionarily conserved presynaptic phosphoprotein. It is encoded by only one gene in the Drosophila genome and is expressed throughout the nervous system. It regulates the balance between reserve and releasable vesicles, is required to maintain transmission upon heavy demand, and is essential for proper memory function at the behavioral level. Task-relevant sensorimotor functions, however, remain intact in the absence of Synapsin. Using an odor–sugar reward associative learning paradigm in larval Drosophila, we show that memory scores in mutants lacking Synapsin (syn97) are lower than in wild-type animals only when more salient, higher concentrations of odor or of the sugar reward are used. Furthermore, we show that Synapsin is selectively required for larval short-term memory. Thus, without Synapsin Drosophila larvae can learn and remember, but Synapsin is required to form memories that match in strength to event salience—in particular to a high saliency of odors, of rewards, or the salient recency of an event. We further show that the residual memory scores upon a lack of Synapsin are not further decreased by an additional lack of the Sap47 protein. In combination with mass spectrometry data showing an up-regulated phosphorylation of Synapsin in the larval nervous system upon a lack of Sap47, this is suggestive of a functional interdependence of Synapsin and Sap47.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jörg Kleber
- Leibniz Institut für Neurobiologie (LIN), Abteilung Genetik von Lernen und Gedächtnis, 39118 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Yi-Chun Chen
- Leibniz Institut für Neurobiologie (LIN), Abteilung Genetik von Lernen und Gedächtnis, 39118 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Birgit Michels
- Leibniz Institut für Neurobiologie (LIN), Abteilung Genetik von Lernen und Gedächtnis, 39118 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Timo Saumweber
- Leibniz Institut für Neurobiologie (LIN), Abteilung Genetik von Lernen und Gedächtnis, 39118 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Michael Schleyer
- Leibniz Institut für Neurobiologie (LIN), Abteilung Genetik von Lernen und Gedächtnis, 39118 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Thilo Kähne
- Otto von Guericke Universität Magdeburg, Institut für Experimentelle Innere Medizin, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Erich Buchner
- Institut für Klinische Neurobiologie, 97078 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Bertram Gerber
- Leibniz Institut für Neurobiologie (LIN), Abteilung Genetik von Lernen und Gedächtnis, 39118 Magdeburg, Germany Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Magdeburg, Germany Otto von Guericke Universität Magdeburg, Institut für Biologie, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
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10
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Sprecher SG, Bernardo-Garcia FJ, van Giesen L, Hartenstein V, Reichert H, Neves R, Bailly X, Martinez P, Brauchle M. Functional brain regeneration in the acoel worm Symsagittifera roscoffensis. Biol Open 2015; 4:1688-95. [PMID: 26581588 PMCID: PMC4736034 DOI: 10.1242/bio.014266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability of some animals to regrow their head and brain after decapitation provides a striking example of the regenerative capacity within the animal kingdom. The acoel worm Symsagittifera roscoffensis can regrow its head, brain and sensory head organs within only a few weeks after decapitation. How rapidly and to what degree it also reacquires its functionality to control behavior however remains unknown. We provide here a neuroanatomical map of the brain neuropils of the adult S. roscoffensis and show that after decapitation a normal neuroanatomical organization of the brain is restored in the majority of animals. By testing different behaviors we further show that functionality of both sensory perception and the underlying brain architecture are restored within weeks after decapitation. Interestingly not all behaviors are restored at the same speed and to the same extent. While we find that phototaxis recovered rapidly, geotaxis is not restored within 7 weeks. Our findings show that regeneration of the head, sensory organs and brain result in the restoration of directed navigation behavior, suggesting a tight coordination in the regeneration of certain sensory organs with that of their underlying neural circuits. Thus, at least in S. roscoffensis, the regenerative capacity of different sensory modalities follows distinct paths. Summary: Brain and head regeneration in the acoel Symsagittifera roscoffensis is coordinated with restoration of directed navigation behavior, suggesting that the regenerative capacity of different sensory modalities follows distinct paths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon G Sprecher
- Institute of Developmental and Cell Biology, Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 10, Fribourg 1700, Switzerland
| | - F Javier Bernardo-Garcia
- Institute of Developmental and Cell Biology, Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 10, Fribourg 1700, Switzerland
| | - Lena van Giesen
- Institute of Developmental and Cell Biology, Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 10, Fribourg 1700, Switzerland
| | - Volker Hartenstein
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, 621 Charles E. Young Drive, East Boyer Hall 559, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1606, USA
| | - Heinrich Reichert
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50, Basel 4056, Switzerland
| | - Ricardo Neves
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, 621 Charles E. Young Drive, East Boyer Hall 559, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1606, USA
| | - Xavier Bailly
- UPMC-CNRS, FR2424, Station Biologique de Roscoff, Roscoff 29680, France
| | - Pedro Martinez
- Departament de Genètica, Universitat de Barcelona, A v. Diagonal, 643, Barcelona, Catalonia 08028, Spain Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Passeig Lluís Companys, Barcelona, Catalonia 23 08010, Spain
| | - Michael Brauchle
- Institute of Developmental and Cell Biology, Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 10, Fribourg 1700, Switzerland
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unfulfilled interacting genes display branch-specific roles in the development of mushroom body axons in Drosophila melanogaster. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2014; 4:693-706. [PMID: 24558265 PMCID: PMC4577660 DOI: 10.1534/g3.113.009829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The mushroom body (MB) of Drosophila melanogaster is an organized collection of interneurons that is required for learning and memory. Each of the three subtypes of MB neurons, γ, α´/β´, and α/β, branch at some point during their development, providing an excellent model in which to study the genetic regulation of axon branching. Given the sequential birth order and the unique patterning of MB neurons, it is likely that specific gene cascades are required for the different guidance events that form the characteristic lobes of the MB. The nuclear receptor UNFULFILLED (UNF), a transcription factor, is required for the differentiation of all MB neurons. We have developed and used a classical genetic suppressor screen that takes advantage of the fact that ectopic expression of unf causes lethality to identify candidate genes that act downstream of UNF. We hypothesized that reducing the copy number of unf-interacting genes will suppress the unf-induced lethality. We have identified 19 candidate genes that when mutated suppress the unf-induced lethality. To test whether candidate genes impact MB development, we performed a secondary phenotypic screen in which the morphologies of the MBs in animals heterozygous for unf and a specific candidate gene were analyzed. Medial MB lobes were thin, missing, or misguided dorsally in five double heterozygote combinations (;unf/+;axin/+, unf/+;Fps85D/+, ;unf/+;Tsc1/+, ;unf/+;Rheb/+, ;unf/+;msn/+). Dorsal MB lobes were missing in ;unf/+;DopR2/+ or misprojecting beyond the termination point in ;unf/+;Sytβ double heterozygotes. These data suggest that unf and unf-interacting genes play specific roles in axon development in a branch-specific manner.
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12
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Redondo BB, Bunz M, Halder P, Sadanandappa MK, Mühlbauer B, Erwin F, Hofbauer A, Rodrigues V, VijayRaghavan K, Ramaswami M, Rieger D, Wegener C, Förster C, Buchner E. Identification and structural characterization of interneurons of the Drosophila brain by monoclonal antibodies of the würzburg hybridoma library. PLoS One 2013; 8:e75420. [PMID: 24069413 PMCID: PMC3775750 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0075420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2013] [Accepted: 08/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Several novel synaptic proteins have been identified by monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) of the Würzburg hybridoma library generated against homogenized Drosophila brains, e.g. cysteine string protein, synapse-associated protein of 47 kDa, and Bruchpilot. However, at present no routine technique exists to identify the antigens of mAbs of our library that label only a small number of cells in the brain. Yet these antibodies can be used to reproducibly label and thereby identify these cells by immunohistochemical staining. Here we describe the staining patterns in the Drosophila brain for ten mAbs of the Würzburg hybridoma library. Besides revealing the neuroanatomical structure and distribution of ten different sets of cells we compare the staining patterns with those of antibodies against known antigens and GFP expression patterns driven by selected Gal4 lines employing regulatory sequences of neuronal genes. We present examples where our antibodies apparently stain the same cells in different Gal4 lines suggesting that the corresponding regulatory sequences can be exploited by the split-Gal4 technique for transgene expression exclusively in these cells. The detection of Gal4 expression in cells labeled by mAbs may also help in the identification of the antigens recognized by the antibodies which then in addition to their value for neuroanatomy will represent important tools for the characterization of the antigens. Implications and future strategies for the identification of the antigens are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Melanie Bunz
- Department of Neurobiology and Genetics, Theodor-Boveri-Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Partho Halder
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Neurobiology and Genetics, Theodor-Boveri-Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Madhumala K. Sadanandappa
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, India
| | - Barbara Mühlbauer
- Department of Neurobiology and Genetics, Theodor-Boveri-Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Felix Erwin
- Department of Neurobiology and Genetics, Theodor-Boveri-Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Alois Hofbauer
- Institute of Zoology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Veronica Rodrigues
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, India
| | - K. VijayRaghavan
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, India
| | - Mani Ramaswami
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, India
- School of Genetics and Microbiology and School of Natural Sciences, Smurfit Institute of Genetics and Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Dirk Rieger
- Department of Neurobiology and Genetics, Theodor-Boveri-Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Christian Wegener
- Department of Neurobiology and Genetics, Theodor-Boveri-Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Charlotte Förster
- Department of Neurobiology and Genetics, Theodor-Boveri-Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Erich Buchner
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Neurobiology and Genetics, Theodor-Boveri-Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- * E-mail:
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13
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Zhao XC, Pfuhl G, Surlykke A, Tro J, Berg BG. A multisensory centrifugal neuron in the olfactory pathway of heliothine moths. J Comp Neurol 2013; 521:152-68. [PMID: 22684993 DOI: 10.1002/cne.23166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2011] [Revised: 12/21/2011] [Accepted: 06/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
We have characterized, by intracellular recording and staining, a unique type of centrifugal neuron in the brain olfactory center of two heliothine moth species; one in Heliothis virescens and one in Helicoverpa armigera. This unilateral neuron, which is not previously described in any moth, has fine processes in the dorsomedial region of the protocerebrum and extensive neuronal branches with blebby terminals in all glomeruli of the antennal lobe. Its soma is located dorsally of the central body close to the brain midline. Mass-fills of antennal-lobe connections with protocerebral regions showed that the centrifugal neuron is, in each brain hemisphere, one within a small group of neurons having their somata clustered. In both species the neuron was excited during application of non-odorant airborne signals, including transient sound pulses of broad bandwidth and air velocity changes. Additional responses to odors were recorded from the neuron in Heliothis virescens. The putative biological significance of the centrifugal antennal-lobe neuron is discussed with regard to its morphological and physiological properties. In particular, a possible role in multisensory processes underlying the moth's ability to adapt its odor-guided behaviors according to the sound of an echo-locating bat is considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Cheng Zhao
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience Unit, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
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14
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Halder P, Chen YC, Brauckhoff J, Hofbauer A, Dabauvalle MC, Lewandrowski U, Winkler C, Sickmann A, Buchner E. Identification of Eps15 as antigen recognized by the monoclonal antibodies aa2 and ab52 of the Wuerzburg Hybridoma Library against Drosophila brain. PLoS One 2011; 6:e29352. [PMID: 22206011 PMCID: PMC3244249 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0029352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2011] [Accepted: 11/27/2011] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The Wuerzburg Hybridoma Library against the
Drosophila brain represents a
collection of around 200 monoclonal antibodies
that bind to specific structures in the
Drosophila brain. Here we
describe the immunohistochemical staining
patterns, the Western blot signals of one- and
two-dimensional electrophoretic separation, and
the mass spectrometric characterization of the
target protein candidates recognized by the
monoclonal antibodies aa2 and ab52 from the
library. Analysis of a mutant of a candidate gene
identified the Drosophila homolog
of the Epidermal growth factor receptor Pathway
Substrate clone 15 (Eps15) as the antigen for
these two antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Partho Halder
- Department of
Neurobiology and Genetics, Theodor-Boveri
Institute, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg,
Germany
- Institute of Clinical
Neurobiology, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg,
Germany
| | - Yi-chun Chen
- Department of
Neurobiology and Genetics, Theodor-Boveri
Institute, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg,
Germany
| | - Janine Brauckhoff
- Department of
Neurobiology and Genetics, Theodor-Boveri
Institute, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg,
Germany
| | - Alois Hofbauer
- Department of
Developmental Biology, Institute of Zoology,
University of Regensburg, Regensburg,
Germany
| | | | - Urs Lewandrowski
- Rudolf Virchow Center,
DFG Research Center for Experimental Biomedicine,
University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg,
Germany
- Leibniz Institut
für Analytische Wissenschaften-ISAS-e.V.,
Dortmund, Germany
| | - Christiane Winkler
- Rudolf Virchow Center,
DFG Research Center for Experimental Biomedicine,
University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg,
Germany
| | - Albert Sickmann
- Rudolf Virchow Center,
DFG Research Center for Experimental Biomedicine,
University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg,
Germany
- Leibniz Institut
für Analytische Wissenschaften-ISAS-e.V.,
Dortmund, Germany
- Medizinisches
Proteom-Center, Ruhr-Universität Bochum,
Bochum, Germany
| | - Erich Buchner
- Department of
Neurobiology and Genetics, Theodor-Boveri
Institute, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg,
Germany
- Institute of Clinical
Neurobiology, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg,
Germany
- * E-mail:
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15
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Abstract
The synapse-associated protein of 47 kDa (SAP47) is a member of a phylogenetically conserved gene family of hitherto unknown function. In Drosophila, SAP47 is encoded by a single gene (Sap47) and is expressed throughout all synaptic regions of the wild-type larval brain; specifically, electron microscopy reveals anti-SAP47 immunogold labeling within 30 nm of presynaptic vesicles. To analyze SAP47 function, we used the viable and fertile deletion mutant Sap47(156), which suffers from a 1.7 kb deletion in the regulatory region and the first exon. SAP47 cannot be detected by either immunoblotting or immunohistochemistry in Sap47(156) mutants. These mutants exhibit normal sensory detection of odorants and tastants as well as normal motor performance and basic neurotransmission at the neuromuscular junction. However, short-term plasticity at this synapse is distorted. Interestingly, Sap47(156) mutant larvae also show a 50% reduction in odorant-tastant associative learning ability; a similar associative impairment is observed in a second deletion allele (Sap47(201)) and upon reduction of SAP47 levels using RNA interference. In turn, transgenically restoring SAP47 in Sap47(156) mutant larvae rescues the defect in associative function. This report thus is the first to suggest a function for SAP47. It specifically argues that SAP47 is required for proper behavioral and synaptic plasticity in flies-and prompts the question whether its homologs are required for proper behavioral and synaptic plasticity in other species as well.
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16
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Fischer M, Raabe T, Heisenberg M, Sendtner M. Drosophila RSK negatively regulates bouton number at the neuromuscular junction. Dev Neurobiol 2009; 69:212-20. [PMID: 19160443 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.20700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Ribosomal S6 kinases (RSKs) are growth factor-regulated serine-threonine kinases participating in the RAS-ERK signaling pathway. RSKs have been implicated in memory formation in mammals and flies. To characterize the function of RSK at the synapse level, we investigated the effect of mutations in the rsk gene on the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) in Drosophila larvae. Immunostaining revealed transgenic expressed RSK in presynaptic regions. In mutants with a full deletion or an N-terminal partial deletion of rsk, an increased bouton number was found. Restoring the wild-type rsk function in the null mutant with a genomic rescue construct reverted the synaptic phenotype, and overexpression of the rsk-cDNA in motoneurons reduced bouton numbers. Based on previous observations that RSK interacts with the Drosophila ERK homologue Rolled, genetic epistasis experiments were performed with loss- and gain-of-function mutations in Rolled. These experiments provided evidence that RSK mediates its negative effect on bouton formation at the Drosophila NMJ by inhibition of ERK signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Fischer
- Institute for Clinical Neurobiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg 97078, Germany.
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17
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Hofbauer A, Ebel T, Waltenspiel B, Oswald P, Chen YC, Halder P, Biskup S, Lewandrowski U, Winkler C, Sickmann A, Buchner S, Buchner E. The Wuerzburg hybridoma library against Drosophila brain. J Neurogenet 2009; 23:78-91. [PMID: 19132598 DOI: 10.1080/01677060802471627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
This review describes the present state of a project to identify and characterize novel nervous system proteins by using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the Drosophila brain. Some 1,000 hybridoma clones were generated by injection of homogenized Drosophila brains or heads into mice and fusion of their spleen cells with myeloma cells. Testing the mAbs secreted by these clones identified a library of about 200 mAbs, which selectively stain specific structures of the Drosophila brain. Using the approach "from antibody to gene", several genes coding for novel proteins of the presynaptic terminal were cloned and characterized. These include the "cysteine string protein" gene (Csp, mAb ab49), the "synapse-associated protein of 47 kDa" gene (Sap47, mAbs nc46 and nb200), and the "Bruchpilot" gene (brp, mAb nc82). By a "candidate" approach, mAb nb33 was shown to recognize the pigment dispersing factor precursor protein. mAbs 3C11 and pok13 were raised against bacterially expressed Drosophila synapsin and calbindin-32, respectively, after the corresponding cDNAs had been isolated from an expression library by using antisera against mammalian proteins. Recently, it was shown that mAb aa2 binds the Drosophila homolog of "epidermal growth factor receptor pathway substrate clone 15" (Eps15). Identification of the targets of mAbs na21, ab52, and nb181 is presently attempted. Here, we review the available information on the function of these proteins and present staining patterns in the Drosophila brain for classes of mAbs that either bind differentially in the eye, in neuropil, in the cell-body layer, or in small subsets of neurons. The prospects of identifying the corresponding antigens by various approaches, including protein purification and mass spectrometry, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alois Hofbauer
- Institut für Zoologie, Lehrstuhl für Entwicklungsbiologie, Regensburg, Germany.
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18
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Schwenkert I, Eltrop R, Funk N, Steinert JR, Schuster CM, Scholz H. The hangover gene negatively regulates bouton addition at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction. Mech Dev 2008; 125:700-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mod.2008.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2008] [Revised: 04/17/2008] [Accepted: 04/19/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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19
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Lefevre T, Thomas F, Schwartz A, Levashina E, Blandin S, Brizard JP, Le Bourligu L, Demettre E, Renaud F, Biron DG. MalariaPlasmodium agent induces alteration in the head proteome of theirAnopheles mosquito host. Proteomics 2007; 7:1908-15. [PMID: 17464940 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.200601021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Despite increasing evidence of behavioural manipulation of their vectors by pathogens, the underlying mechanisms causing infected vectors to act in ways that benefit pathogen transmission remain enigmatic in most cases. Here, 2-D DIGE coupled with MS were employed to analyse and compare the head proteome of mosquitoes (Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto (Giles)) infected with the malarial parasite (Plasmodium berghei) with that of uninfected mosquitoes. This approach detected altered levels of 12 protein spots in the head of mosquitoes infected with sporozoites. These proteins were subsequently identified using MS and functionally classified as belonging to metabolic, synaptic, molecular chaperone, signalling, and cytoskeletal groups. Our results indicate an altered energy metabolism in the head of sporozoite-infected mosquitoes. Some of the up-/down-regulated proteins identified, such as synapse-associated protein, 14-3-3 protein and calmodulin, have previously been shown to play critical roles in the CNS of both invertebrates and vertebrates. Furthermore, a heat shock response (HSP 20) and a variation of cytoarchitecture (tropomyosins) have been shown. Discovery of these proteins sheds light on potential molecular mechanisms that underlie behavioural modifications and offers new insights into the study of intimate interactions between Plasmodium and its Anopheles vector.
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20
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Gögel S, Wakefield S, Tear G, Klämbt C, Gordon-Weeks PR. The Drosophila microtubule associated protein Futsch is phosphorylated by Shaggy/Zeste-white 3 at an homologous GSK3β phosphorylation site in MAP1B. Mol Cell Neurosci 2006; 33:188-99. [PMID: 16949836 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2006.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2006] [Revised: 07/21/2006] [Accepted: 07/25/2006] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The Drosophila homologue of the microtubule associated protein MAP1B is encoded by the futsch locus. The deduced protein Futsch is about twice the size of MAP1B and shows high homology in the N- and C-terminal domains. The central part of Futsch is characterized by a highly repetitive structure based on a 37 amino acid motif. Futsch, like MAP1B, colocalizes with microtubules and is necessary for the organization of the microtubule cytoskeleton during axonal growth and synaptogenesis. To further analyze the functional relevance of Futsch as a MAP1B-like protein, we performed a molecular analysis of the conserved protein domains. Using a number of antisera, we show that, unlike the MAP1B polyprotein, which is cleaved to generate a heavy and light chain, Futsch is expressed as a single protein. The function of MAP1B is in part regulated by phosphorylation mediated by kinases that include casein kinase 2 and glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK3beta). We show here that at least one GSK3beta phosphorylation site of MAP1B is conserved in Futsch and that this site can be phosphorylated by GSK3beta and its Drosophila homologue, Shaggy/Zeste-white 3. To test the functional relevance of these findings we generated a number of minigenes and assayed their ability to rescue the phenotype of futsch mutants. Our data highlight some differences between MAP1B and Futsch but demonstrate that important structural and functional aspects are conserved between fly and vertebrate members of this protein family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Gögel
- The MRC Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
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21
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Menzel N, Schneeberger D, Raabe T. The Drosophila p21 activated kinase Mbt regulates the actin cytoskeleton and adherens junctions to control photoreceptor cell morphogenesis. Mech Dev 2006; 124:78-90. [PMID: 17097274 DOI: 10.1016/j.mod.2006.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2006] [Revised: 09/26/2006] [Accepted: 09/27/2006] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The p21 activated kinase (Pak) family of protein kinases are involved in many cellular functions like re-organisation of the cytoskeleton, transcriptional control, cell division, and survival. These pleiotropic actions are reflected in a plethora of known interacting proteins and phosphorylation substrates. Yet, the integration of a single Pak protein into signalling pathways controlling a particular developmental process are less well studied. For two of the three known Pak proteins in Drosophila melanogaster, D-Pak and Mbt, distinct functions during eye development have been established. In this study we undertook a genetic approach to identify proteins acting in the Mbt signalling pathway during photoreceptor cell morphogenesis. The genetic screen identified the actin depolymerisation factor Twinstar/Cofilin as one target of Mbt signalling. Twinstar/Cofilin becomes phosphorylated upon activation of Mbt. However, biochemical and genetic experiments question the role of the LIM domain protein kinase (Limk) as a major link between Mbt and Twinstar/Cofilin as it has been suggested for other PAK proteins. Constitutive activation of Mbt not only disturbs the actin cytoskeleton but also affects adherens junction organisation indicating a requirement of the protein in cell adhesion dependent processes during photoreceptor cell differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Menzel
- University of Würzburg, Institut für Medizinische Strahlenkunde und Zellforschung, Versbacherstr. 5, 97078 Würzburg, Germany
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22
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Jauch E, Wecklein H, Stark F, Jauch M, Raabe T. The Drosophila melanogaster DmCK2beta transcription unit encodes for functionally non-redundant protein isoforms. Gene 2006; 374:142-52. [PMID: 16530986 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2006.01.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2005] [Revised: 01/23/2006] [Accepted: 01/27/2006] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Genes encoding for the two evolutionary highly conserved subunits of a heterotetrameric protein kinase CK2 holoenzyme are present in all examined eukaryotic genomes. Depending on the organism, multiple transcription units encoding for a catalytically active CK2alpha subunit and/or a regulatory CK2beta subunit may exist. The phosphotransferase activity of members of the protein kinase CK2alpha family is thought to be independent of second messengers but is modulated by interaction with CK2beta-like proteins. In the genome of Drosophila melanogaster, one gene encoding for a CK2alpha subunit and three genes encoding for CK2beta-like proteins are present. The X-linked DmCK2beta transcription unit encodes for several CK2beta protein isoforms due to alternative splicing of its primary transcript. We addressed the question whether CK2beta-like proteins are redundant in function. Our in vivo experiments show that variations of the very C-terminal tail of CK2beta isoforms encoded by the X-linked DmCK2beta transcription unit influence their functional properties. In addition, we find that CK2beta-like proteins encoded by the autosomal D. melanogaster genes CK2betates and CK2beta' cannot fully substitute for a loss of CK2beta isoforms encoded by DmCK2beta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eike Jauch
- University of Wuerzburg, Institut fuer Medizinische Strahlenkunde und Zellforschung, Versbacherstrasse 5, 97078 Wuerzburg, Germany
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23
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Brandt R, Rohlfing T, Rybak J, Krofczik S, Maye A, Westerhoff M, Hege HC, Menzel R. Three-dimensional average-shape atlas of the honeybee brain and its applications. J Comp Neurol 2006; 492:1-19. [PMID: 16175557 DOI: 10.1002/cne.20644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The anatomical substrates of neural nets are usually composed from reconstructions of neurons that were stained in different preparations. Realistic models of the structural relationships between neurons require a common framework. Here we present 3-D reconstructions of single projection neurons (PN) connecting the antennal lobe (AL) with the mushroom body (MB) and lateral horn, groups of intrinsic mushroom body neurons (type 5 Kenyon cells), and a single mushroom body extrinsic neuron (PE1), aiming to compose components of the olfactory pathway in the honeybee. To do so, we constructed a digital standard atlas of the bee brain. The standard atlas was created as an average-shape atlas of 22 neuropils, calculated from 20 individual immunostained whole-mount bee brains. After correction for global size and positioning differences by repeatedly applying an intensity-based nonrigid registration algorithm, a sequence of average label images was created. The results were qualitatively evaluated by generating average gray-value images corresponding to the average label images and judging the level of detail within the labeled regions. We found that the first affine registration step in the sequence results in a blurred image because of considerable local shape differences. However, already the first nonrigid iteration in the sequence corrected for most of the shape differences among individuals, resulting in images rich in internal detail. A second iteration improved on that somewhat and was selected as the standard. Registering neurons from different preparations into the standard atlas reveals 1) that the m-ACT neuron occupies the entire glomerulus (cortex and core) and overlaps with a local interneuron in the cortical layer; 2) that, in the MB calyces and the lateral horn of the protocerebral lobe, the axon terminals of two identified m-ACT neurons arborize in separate but close areas of the neuropil; and 3) that MB-intrinsic clawed Kenyon cells (type 5), with somata outside the calycal cups, project to the peduncle and lobe output system of the MB and contact (proximate) the dendritic tree of the PE1 neuron at the base of the vertical lobe. Thus the standard atlas and the procedures applied for registration serve the function of creating realistic neuroanatomical models of parts of a neural net. The Honeybee Standard Brain is accessible at www.neurobiologie.fu-berlin.de/beebrain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Brandt
- Institut für Biologie-Neurobiologie, Freie Universität Berlin, D-14195 Berlin, Germany
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24
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Rohlfing T, Schaupp F, Haddad D, Brandt R, Haase A, Menzel R, Maurer CR. Unwarping confocal microscopy images of bee brains by nonrigid registration to a magnetic resonance microscopy image. JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL OPTICS 2005; 10:024018. [PMID: 15910092 DOI: 10.1117/1.1896025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Confocal microscopy (CM) is a powerful image acquisition technique that is well established in many biological applications. It provides 3-D acquisition with high spatial resolution and can acquire several different channels of complementary image information. Due to the specimen extraction and preparation process, however, the shapes of imaged objects may differ considerably from their in vivo appearance. Magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM) is an evolving variant of magnetic resonance imaging, which achieves microscopic resolutions using a high magnetic field and strong magnetic gradients. Compared to CM imaging, MRM allows for in situ imaging and is virtually free of geometrical distortions. We propose to combine the advantages of both methods by unwarping CM images using a MRM reference image. Our method incorporates a sequence of image processing operators applied to the MRM image, followed by a two-stage intensity-based registration to compute a nonrigid coordinate transformation between the CM images and the MRM image. We present results obtained using CM images from the brains of 20 honey bees and a MRM image of an in situ bee brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torsten Rohlfing
- SRI International, Neuroscience Program, 333 Ravenswood Avenue, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA.
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25
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Godenschwege TA, Reisch D, Diegelmann S, Eberle K, Funk N, Heisenberg M, Hoppe V, Hoppe J, Klagges BRE, Martin JR, Nikitina EA, Putz G, Reifegerste R, Reisch N, Rister J, Schaupp M, Scholz H, Schwärzel M, Werner U, Zars TD, Buchner S, Buchner E. Flies lacking all synapsins are unexpectedly healthy but are impaired in complex behaviour. Eur J Neurosci 2004; 20:611-22. [PMID: 15255973 DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2004.03527.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Vertebrate synapsins are abundant synaptic vesicle phosphoproteins that have been proposed to fine-regulate neurotransmitter release by phosphorylation-dependent control of synaptic vesicle motility. However, the consequences of a total lack of all synapsin isoforms due to a knock-out of all three mouse synapsin genes have not yet been investigated. In Drosophila a single synapsin gene encodes several isoforms and is expressed in most synaptic terminals. Thus the targeted deletion of the synapsin gene of Drosophila eliminates the possibility of functional knock-out complementation by other isoforms. Unexpectedly, synapsin null mutant flies show no obvious defects in brain morphology, and no striking qualitative changes in behaviour are observed. Ultrastructural analysis of an identified 'model' synapse of the larval nerve muscle preparation revealed no difference between wild-type and mutant, and spontaneous or evoked excitatory junction potentials at this synapse were normal up to a stimulus frequency of 5 Hz. However, when several behavioural responses were analysed quantitatively, specific differences between mutant and wild-type flies are noted. Adult locomotor activity, optomotor responses at high pattern velocities, wing beat frequency, and visual pattern preference are modified. Synapsin mutant flies show faster habituation of an olfactory jump response, enhanced ethanol tolerance, and significant defects in learning and memory as measured using three different paradigms. Larval behavioural defects are described in a separate paper. We conclude that Drosophila synapsins play a significant role in nervous system function, which is subtle at the cellular level but manifests itself in complex behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja A Godenschwege
- Theodor Boveri-Institut für Biowissenschaften, Lehrstuhl für Genetik und Neurobiologie, Am Hubland D-97074 Wuerzburg, Germany
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Bogdan S, Grewe O, Strunk M, Mertens A, Klämbt C. Sra-1 interacts with Kette and Wasp and is required for neuronal and bristle development in Drosophila. Development 2004; 131:3981-9. [PMID: 15269173 DOI: 10.1242/dev.01274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Regulation of growth cone and cell motility involves the coordinated control of F-actin dynamics. An important regulator of F-actin formation is the Arp2/3 complex, which in turn is activated by Wasp and Wave. A complex comprising Kette/Nap1, Sra-1/Pir121/CYFIP, Abi and HSPC300 modulates the activity of Wave and Wasp. We present the characterization of Drosophila Sra-1 (specifically Rac1-associated protein 1). sra-1 and kette are spatially and temporally co-expressed,and both encoded proteins interact in vivo. During late embryonic and larval development, the Sra-1 protein is found in the neuropile. Outgrowing photoreceptor neurons express high levels of Sra-1 also in growth cones. Expression of double stranded sra-1 RNA in photoreceptor neurons leads to a stalling of axonal growth. Following knockdown of sra-1function in motoneurons, we noted abnormal neuromuscular junctions similar to what we determined for hypomorphic kette mutations. Similar mutant phenotypes were induced after expression of membrane-bound Sra-1 that lacks the Kette-binding domain, suggesting that sra-1 function is mediated through kette. Furthermore, we could show that both proteins stabilize each other and directly control the regulation of the F-actin cytoskeleton in a Wasp-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Bogdan
- Institut für Neurobiologie, Universität Münster, Badestrasse 9, Münster 48149, Germany
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27
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Rohlfing T, Brandt R, Menzel R, Maurer CR. Evaluation of atlas selection strategies for atlas-based image segmentation with application to confocal microscopy images of bee brains. Neuroimage 2004; 21:1428-42. [PMID: 15050568 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2003.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 356] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2003] [Revised: 11/03/2003] [Accepted: 11/04/2003] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper evaluates strategies for atlas selection in atlas-based segmentation of three-dimensional biomedical images. Segmentation by intensity-based nonrigid registration to atlas images is applied to confocal microscopy images acquired from the brains of 20 bees. This paper evaluates and compares four different approaches for atlas image selection: registration to an individual atlas image (IND), registration to an average-shape atlas image (AVG), registration to the most similar image from a database of individual atlas images (SIM), and registration to all images from a database of individual atlas images with subsequent multi-classifier decision fusion (MUL). The MUL strategy is a novel application of multi-classifier techniques, which are common in pattern recognition, to atlas-based segmentation. For each atlas selection strategy, the segmentation performance of the algorithm was quantified by the similarity index (SI) between the automatic segmentation result and a manually generated gold standard. The best segmentation accuracy was achieved using the MUL paradigm, which resulted in a mean similarity index value between manual and automatic segmentation of 0.86 (AVG, 0.84; SIM, 0.82; IND, 0.81). The superiority of the MUL strategy over the other three methods is statistically significant (two-sided paired t test, P < 0.001). Both the MUL and AVG strategies performed better than the best possible SIM and IND strategies with optimal a posteriori atlas selection (mean similarity index for optimal SIM, 0.83; for optimal IND, 0.81). Our findings show that atlas selection is an important issue in atlas-based segmentation and that, in particular, multi-classifier techniques can substantially increase the segmentation accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torsten Rohlfing
- Image Guidance Laboratories, Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-5327, USA.
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28
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Arnold C, Reisch N, Leibold C, Becker S, Prüfert K, Sautter K, Palm D, Jatzke S, Buchner S, Buchner E. Structure-function analysis of the cysteine string protein in Drosophila: cysteine string, linker and C terminus. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004; 207:1323-34. [PMID: 15010483 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.00898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Cysteine string proteins (CSPs) are conserved secretory vesicle proteins involved in regulating neurotransmitter and peptide release. While the function of the J-domain has been studied in detail, little is known about other conserved regions. We have constructed mutant genes coding for proteins with modified cysteine string, linker region or C terminus and transformed them into Csp null-mutant Drosophila: In the living animal, mutated CSP lacking all cysteines fails to associate with membranes, does not concentrate in synaptic terminals, and cannot rescue adult temperature-sensitive paralysis and short life span, both prominent null mutant phenotypes. A mutant protein with 5 instead of 11 string cysteines appears to be normally targeted but cannot rescue paralysis at 37 degrees C. We propose that the cysteine string, in addition to its role in targeting, may be essential for a function of CSP that is dependent on the number of cysteines in the string. A deletion in the linker region or the C terminus does not affect CSP targeting, and function in adults is only marginally impaired.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Arnold
- Lehrstuhl für Genetik und Neurobiologie, Theodor-Boveri-Institut für Biowissenschaften, Am Hubland, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany
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29
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Funk N, Becker S, Huber S, Brunner M, Buchner E. Targeted mutagenesis of the Sap47 gene of Drosophila: flies lacking the synapse associated protein of 47 kDa are viable and fertile. BMC Neurosci 2004; 5:16. [PMID: 15117418 PMCID: PMC419347 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2202-5-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2003] [Accepted: 04/29/2004] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Conserved proteins preferentially expressed in synaptic terminals of the nervous system are likely to play a significant role in brain function. We have previously identified and molecularly characterized the Sap47 gene which codes for a novel synapse associated protein of 47 kDa in Drosophila. Sequence comparison identifies homologous proteins in numerous species including C. elegans, fish, mouse and human. First hints as to the function of this novel protein family can be obtained by generating mutants for the Sap47 gene in Drosophila. Results Attempts to eliminate the Sap47 gene through targeted mutagenesis by homologous recombination were unsuccessful. However, several mutants were generated by transposon remobilization after an appropriate insertion line had become available from the Drosophila P-element screen of the Bellen/Hoskins/Rubin/Spradling labs. Characterization of various deletions in the Sap47 gene due to imprecise excision of the P-element identified three null mutants and three hypomorphic mutants. Null mutants are viable and fertile and show no gross structural or obvious behavioural deficits. For cell-specific over-expression and "rescue" of the knock-out flies a transgenic line was generated which expresses the most abundant transcript under the control of the yeast enhancer UAS. In addition, knock-down of the Sap47 gene was achieved by generating 31 transgenic lines expressing Sap47 RNAi constructs, again under UAS control. When driven by a ubiquitously expressed yeast transcription factor (GAL4), Sap47 gene suppression in several of these lines is highly efficient resulting in residual SAP47 protein concentrations in heads as low as 6% of wild type levels. Conclusion The conserved synaptic protein SAP47 of Drosophila is not essential for basic synaptic function. The Sap47 gene region may be refractory to targeted mutagenesis by homologous recombination. RNAi using a construct linking genomic DNA to anti-sense cDNA in our hands is not more effective than using a cDNA-anti-sense cDNA construct. The tools developed in this study will now allow a detailed analysis of the molecular, cellular and systemic function of the SAP47 protein in Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalja Funk
- Theodor Boveri-Institut für Biowissenschaften, Lehrstuhl für Genetik und Neurobiologie, Am Hubland D-97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sonja Becker
- Theodor Boveri-Institut für Biowissenschaften, Lehrstuhl für Genetik und Neurobiologie, Am Hubland D-97074 Würzburg, Germany
- Institut für Experimentelle Genetik, GSF - Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Saskia Huber
- Theodor Boveri-Institut für Biowissenschaften, Lehrstuhl für Genetik und Neurobiologie, Am Hubland D-97074 Würzburg, Germany
- Institut für Humangenetik, GSF - Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Marion Brunner
- Theodor Boveri-Institut für Biowissenschaften, Lehrstuhl für Genetik und Neurobiologie, Am Hubland D-97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Erich Buchner
- Theodor Boveri-Institut für Biowissenschaften, Lehrstuhl für Genetik und Neurobiologie, Am Hubland D-97074 Würzburg, Germany
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Matthies HJG, Broadie K. Techniques to dissect cellular and subcellular function in the Drosophila nervous system. Methods Cell Biol 2004; 71:195-265. [PMID: 12884693 DOI: 10.1016/s0091-679x(03)01011-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Heinrich J G Matthies
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235, USA
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31
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Diegelmann S, Fiala A, Leibold C, Spall T, Buchner E. Transgenic flies expressing the fluorescence calcium sensor Cameleon 2.1 under UAS control. Genesis 2002; 34:95-8. [PMID: 12324958 DOI: 10.1002/gene.10112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sören Diegelmann
- Julius-Maximilians-Universität, Theodor-Boveri-Institut, Lehrstuhl für Genetik und Neurobiologie, Biozentrum, Würzburg, Germany
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32
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Berg BG, Galizia CG, Brandt R, Mustaparta H. Digital atlases of the antennal lobe in two species of tobacco budworm moths, the Oriental Helicoverpa assulta (male) and the American Heliothis virescens (male and female). J Comp Neurol 2002; 446:123-34. [PMID: 11932931 DOI: 10.1002/cne.10180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The antennal lobe of the moth brain is the primary olfactory center processing information about pheromones and plant odors. We present here a digital atlas of the glomerular antennal lobe structures in the male of Helicoverpa assulta and the male and female of Heliothis virescens, based on synaptic antibody staining combined with confocal microscopy. The numbers of the glomeruli in the three specimens were similar, 65, 66, and 62, respectively. Whereas the male antennal lobe has a macroglomerular complex consisting of three and four units in the two species, the female lobe has two enlarged glomeruli at a corresponding position, near the entrance of the antennal nerve. Another large glomerulus, showing homology in the three specimens, is ventrally located. The small size of the heliothine moths is advantageous for confocal microscopy because the entire brain can be visualized as a single image stack. The maps are freely accessible on the internet, and the digital form of the data allows each atlas to be rotated and sectioned at any angle, providing for the identification of glomeruli in different preparations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bente G Berg
- Department of Zoology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, N-7491 Trondheim, Norway.
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33
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Doerks T, Huber S, Buchner E, Bork P. BSD: a novel domain in transcription factors and synapse-associated proteins. Trends Biochem Sci 2002; 27:168-70. [PMID: 11943536 DOI: 10.1016/s0968-0004(01)02042-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
This article describes a novel domain, BSD, that is present in basal transcription factors, synapse-associated proteins and several hypothetical proteins. It occurs in a variety of species ranging from primal protozoan to human. The BSD domain is characterized by three predicted alpha helices, which probably form a three-helical bundle, as well as by conserved tryptophan and phenylalanine residues, located at the C terminus of the domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Doerks
- EMBL, 69012 Heidelberg, Meyerhofstr. 1, and Max-Delbrueck-Centrum, Berlin, Germany.
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34
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Malun D, Plath N, Giurfa M, Moseleit AD, Müller U. Hydroxyurea-induced partial mushroom body ablation in the honeybee Apis mellifera: volumetric analysis and quantitative protein determination. JOURNAL OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2002; 50:31-44. [PMID: 11748631 DOI: 10.1002/neu.10015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Hydroxyurea (HU) treatment of first instar honeybee larvae was previously shown to cause mushroom body (MB) ablations. Predominantly, either one or both median MB subunits were ablated. This prompted us to analyze the effects of asymmetrical or symmetrical HU-induced MB ablation on both the morphology of the brain and on the level of three proteins (synapsin, PKA RII, and PKC), which are considered to play a role in synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory. In brains with one median MB subunit missing the volume of the overall MB calyx neuropil in the lesioned side was diminished by 35%. This strong reduction occurred although the remaining lateral MB calyx of the lesioned brain side was found to be significantly larger than that of the intact side. Accordingly, in brains with both median MB subunits missing the size of the remaining lateral calyces increased. The various types of MB ablation differentially affected the amounts of synapsin, PKA RII, and PKC expressed in the central brain. In animals with bilateral and thus symmetrical MB ablation (both median calyces ablated) the protein amount was found to be similar to that in control animals. However, unilateral MB ablation causes an increase in the amounts of the tested proteins in the intact brain side, while the levels in the ablated side were the same as in control animals. These findings not only show that HU-induced ablation of MB subunits is accompanied by volume changes and by changes in protein expression, but also suggest that these processes are highly regulated between the brain sides. The latter is of general importance in understanding the potential contribution of the MB subunits to learning and memory and their interaction between the brain sides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dagmar Malun
- Neurobiologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 28-30, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
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35
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Razzaq A, Robinson IM, McMahon HT, Skepper JN, Su Y, Zelhof AC, Jackson AP, Gay NJ, O'Kane CJ. Amphiphysin is necessary for organization of the excitation-contraction coupling machinery of muscles, but not for synaptic vesicle endocytosis in Drosophila. Genes Dev 2001; 15:2967-79. [PMID: 11711432 PMCID: PMC312829 DOI: 10.1101/gad.207801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 192] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Amphiphysins 1 and 2 are enriched in the mammalian brain and are proposed to recruit dynamin to sites of endocytosis. Shorter amphiphysin 2 splice variants are also found ubiquitously, with an enrichment in skeletal muscle. At the Drosophila larval neuromuscular junction, amphiphysin is localized postsynaptically and amphiphysin mutants have no major defects in neurotransmission; they are also viable, but flightless. Like mammalian amphiphysin 2 in muscles, Drosophila amphiphysin does not bind clathrin, but can tubulate lipids and is localized on T-tubules. Amphiphysin mutants have a novel phenotype, a severely disorganized T-tubule/sarcoplasmic reticulum system. We therefore propose that muscle amphiphysin is not involved in clathrin-mediated endocytosis, but in the structural organization of the membrane-bound compartments of the excitation-contraction coupling machinery of muscles.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Razzaq
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
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36
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Abstract
In insects, peptidergic neurons of the central nervous system regulate the synthesis of the main developmental hormones. Neuropeptides involved in this neuroendocrine cascade have been identified in lepidopterans and dictyopterans. Since these organisms are not suitable for genetic research, we identified peptidergic brain neurons innervating the ring gland in Drosophila melanogaster. In larvae of Drosophila, ecdysteroids and juvenile hormones are produced by the ring gland, which is composed of the prothoracic gland, the corpus allatum, and the corpora cardiaca. Using the GAL4 enhancer trap system, we mapped those neurons of the central nervous system that innervate the ring gland. Eleven groups of neurosecretory neurons and their target tissues were identified. Five neurons of the lateral protocerebrum directly innervate the prothoracic gland or corpus allatum cells of the ring gland and are believed to regulate ecdysteroid and juvenile hormone titers. Axons of the circadian pacemaker neurons project onto dendritic fields of these five neurons. This connection might be the neuronal substrate of the circadian rhythms of molting and metamorphosis in Drosophila. Most of the neurons presented here have not been described before. The enhancer trap lines labeling them will be valuable tools for the analysis of neuronal as well as genetic regulation in insect development.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Siegmund
- Freie Universität Berlin, Institut für Biologie, Genetik, Berlin 14195, Germany.
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37
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Becker S, Gehrsitz A, Bork P, Buchner S, Buchner E. The black-pearl gene of Drosophila defines a novel conserved protein family and is required for larval growth and survival. Gene 2001; 262:15-22. [PMID: 11179663 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-1119(00)00548-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Using a transposon insertion line of the Drosophila Genome Project we have cloned the black-pearl gene (blp), analyzed cDNA clones, generated various mutants, and characterized their phenotypes. The blp gene codes for a protein of 15.7 kDa calculated molecular weight that has been conserved from yeast to plants and mammals with high homology. A domain of these new proteins shows distant similarity to DnaJ domains indicating a functionally relevant interaction with other proteins. The P element insertion in line P1539 lies within the 5' untranslated leader of the black-pearl gene. Flies homozygous for this insertion are semi-lethal, escapers produce very few offspring and show melanotic inclusions in the hemocoel ('black pearls') similar to various melanotic 'tumor' mutants. Two small deletions confined to the blp gene and two EMS-induced mutations are homozygous lethal. These null mutants appear normal up to a prolonged first instar larval stage but fail to grow and die. Thus in Drosophila the blp gene is specifically required for larval growth. The evolutionary conservation in both unicellular and multicellular organisms suggests for the new protein family described here a fundamental role in cell growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Becker
- Lehrstuhl für Genetik und Neurobiologie, Biozentrum der Universität, Am Hubland, D-97074, Würzburg, Germany
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38
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Hummel T, Krukkert K, Roos J, Davis G, Klämbt C. Drosophila Futsch/22C10 is a MAP1B-like protein required for dendritic and axonal development. Neuron 2000; 26:357-70. [PMID: 10839355 DOI: 10.1016/s0896-6273(00)81169-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 375] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Here we report the description of the Drosophila gene futsch, which encodes a protein recognized by the monoclonal antibody 22C10 that has been widely used to visualize neuronal morphology and axonal projections. The Futsch protein is 5327 amino acids in length. It localizes to the microtubule compartment of the cell and associates with microtubules in vitro. The N- and C-terminal domains of Futsch are homologous to the vertebrate MAP1B microtubule-associated protein. The central domain of the Futsch protein is highly repetitive and shows sequence similarity to neurofilament proteins of which no Drosophila homologs have been reported. Loss-of-function analyses demonstrate that during embryogenesis Futsch is necessary for dendritic and axonal growth. Gain-of-function analyses demonstrate a functional interaction of Futsch with other MAPs. In addition, we show that during development, futsch expression is negatively regulated in nonneuronal tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Hummel
- Institut für Neurobiologie, Universität Münster, Germany
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39
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Just S, Gronenberg W. The control of mandible movements in the ant Odontomachus. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 1999; 45:231-240. [PMID: 12770370 DOI: 10.1016/s0022-1910(98)00118-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Ants use their mandibles to manipulate many different objects including food, brood and nestmates. Different tasks require the modification of mandibular force and speed. Besides normal mandible movements the trap-jaw ant Odontomachus features a particularly fast mandible reflex during which both mandibles close synchronously within 3 ms. The mandibular muscles that govern mandible performance are controlled by four opener and eight closer motor neurons. During slow mandible movements different motor units can be activated successively, and fine tuning is assisted by co-activation of the antagonistic muscles. Fast and powerful movements are generated by the additional activation of two particular motor units which also contribute to the mandible strike. The trap-jaw reflex is triggered by a fast trigger muscle which is derived from the mandible closer. Intracellular recording reveals that trigger motor neurons can generate regular as well as particularly large postsynaptic potentials, which might be passively propagated over the short distance to the trigger muscle. The trigger motor neurons are dye-coupled and receive input from both sides of the body without delay, which ensures the synchronous release of both mandibles.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Just
- Theodor Boveri Institut der Universität, Lehrstuhl für Verhaltensphysiologie und Soziobiologie, Am Hubland, D-97074, Würzburg, Germany
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40
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Roos J, Kelly RB. Dap160, a neural-specific Eps15 homology and multiple SH3 domain-containing protein that interacts with Drosophila dynamin. J Biol Chem 1998; 273:19108-19. [PMID: 9668096 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.273.30.19108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 173] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery of overlapping hot spots of dynamin (Estes, P. S., Roos, J., van der Bliek, A., Kelly, R. B., Krishnan, K. S., and Ramaswami, M. (1996) J. Neurosci. 16, 5443-5456) and the heterotetrameric adaptor 2 complex (Gonzalez-Gaitan, M., and Jäckle, H. (1997) Cell 88, 767-776) in Drosophila nerve terminals led to the concept of zones of active endocytosis close to sites of active exocytosis. The proline-rich domain of Drosophila dynamin was used to identify and purify a third component of the endocytosis zones. Dap160 (dynamin-associated protein 160 kDa) is a membrane-associated, dynamin-binding protein of 160 kDa that has four putative src homology 3 domains and an Eps15 homology domain, motifs frequently found in proteins associated with endocytosis. The binding capacities of the four putative src homology 3 domains were examined individually and in combination and shown to bind known proteins that contained proline-rich domains. Each binding site, however, was different in its preference for binding partners. We suggest that Dap160 is a scaffolding protein that helps anchor proteins required for endocytosis at sites where they are needed in the Drosophila nerve terminal.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Roos
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics and the Hormone Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143-0534, USA
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41
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Abstract
Vertebrate synapsins constitute a family of synaptic proteins that participate in the regulation of neurotransmitter release. Information on the presence of synapsin homologs in invertebrates has been inconclusive. We have now cloned a Drosophila gene coding for at least two inferred proteins that both contain a region with 50% amino acid identity to the highly conserved vesicle- and actin-binding "C" domain of vertebrate synapsins. Within the C domain coding sequence, the positions of two introns have been conserved exactly from fly to human. The positions of three additional introns within this domain are similar. The Drosophila synapsin gene (Syn) is widely expressed in the nervous system of the fly. The gene products are detected in all or nearly all conventional synaptic terminals. A single amber (UAG) stop codon terminates the open reading frame (ORF1) of the most abundant transcript of the Syn gene 140 amino acid codons downstream of the homology domain. Unexpectedly, the stop codon is followed by another 443 in-frame amino acid codons (ORF2). Using different antibodies directed against ORF1 or ORF2, we demonstrate that in the adult fly small and large synapsin isoforms are generated. The small isoforms are only recognized by antibodies against ORF1; the large isoforms bind both kinds of antibodies. We suggest that the large synapsin isoform in Drosophila may be generated by UAG read-through. Implications of such an unconventional mechanism for the generation of protein diversity from a single gene are discussed.
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