title: A-to-I pre-mRNA editing in Drosophila is primarily involved in adult nervous system function and integrity.
abstract: Specific A-to-I RNA editing, like that seen in mammals, has been reported for several Drosophila ion channel genes. Drosophila possesses a candidate editing enzyme, dADAR. Here, we describe dADAR deletion mutants that lack ADAR activity in extracts. Correspondingly, all known Drosophila site-specific RNA editing (25 sites in three ion channel transcripts) is abolished. Adults lacking dADAR are morphologically wild-type but exhibit extreme behavioral deficits including temperature-sensitive paralysis, locomotor uncoordination, and tremors which increase in severity with age. Neurodegeneration accompanies the increase in phenotypic severity. Surprisingly, dADAR mutants are not short-lived. Thus, A-to-I editing of pre-mRNAs in Drosophila acts predominantly through nervous system targets to affect adult nervous system function, integrity, and behavior.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington 06030, USA.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Palladino
authors.forename: L P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Keegan
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: O'Connell
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Reenan
mesh_terms: D000243:Adenosine Deaminase / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D004330:Drosophila / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D008124:Locomotion; D009424:Nervous System Physiological Phenomena; D010641:Phenotype; D017393:RNA Editing / Q000502:physiology*; D012322:RNA Precursors / Q000235:genetics*; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D012322:RNA Precursors; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; C567955:ADARB1 protein, human; D000243:Adenosine Deaminase