Fat facets does a Highwire act at the synapse.
Neuromuscular synapses are highly dynamic structures that respond to both intercellular and intracellular cues to manipulate synaptic form. A variety of post-translational modifications of synaptic proteins are used to regulate synaptic plasticity. A recent report by DiAntonio et al. shows that two ubiquitin pathway proteins, Highwire and Fat facets, may be mutually antagonistic regulators of presynaptic growth at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction. This work adds support to the emerging idea that ubiquitin, a polypeptide that targets proteins for proteasomal degradation, regulates synaptic development.
Fischer
Janice A
JA
Section of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, TX 78712, USA. jaf@mail.utexas.edu
Overstreet
Erin
E
D000818:Animals; D004330:Drosophila / Q000378:metabolism; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D025801:Ubiquitin / Q000378:metabolism
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; C409633:HIW protein, Drosophila; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D025801:Ubiquitin; D010450:Endopeptidases; C059237:ubiquitin-Nalpha-protein hydrolase