Regulation of synapse structure and function by the Drosophila tumor suppressor gene dlg.
Mutations of the tumor suppressor gene discs-large (dlg) lead to postsynaptic structural defects. Here, we report that mutations in dlg also result in larger synaptic currents at fly neuromuscular junctions. By selectively targeting DLG protein to either muscles or motorneurons using Gal-4 enhancer trap lines, we were able to rescue substantially the reduced postsynaptic structure in mutants. Rescue of the physiological defect was accomplished by presynaptic, but not postsynaptic targeting, consistent with our finding that miniature excitatory junctional currents were not changed in dlg mutants. These results suggest that DLG functions in the regulation of neurotransmitter release and postsynaptic structure. We propose that DLG is an integral part of a mechanism by which changes in both neurotransmitter release and synapse structure are accomplished during development and plasticity.
Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst 01003, USA.
V
V
Budnik
Y H
YH
Koh
B
B
Guan
B
B
Hartmann
C
C
Hough
D
D
Woods
M
M
Gorczyca
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons; D004330:Drosophila / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D005071:Evoked Potentials; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D017344:Genes, Insect; D016147:Genes, Tumor Suppressor; D007301:Insect Hormones / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009132:Muscles / Q000294:innervation; D016296:Mutagenesis; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D007301:Insect Hormones; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; C070350:dlg1 protein, Drosophila