title: Roles of glia in the Drosophila nervous system.
abstract: Glial cells have diverse functions that are necessary for the proper development and function of complex nervous systems. Various insects, primarily the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster and the moth Manduca sexta, have provided useful models of glial function during development. The present review will outline evidence of glial contributions to embryonic, visual, olfactory and wing development. We will also outline evidence for non-developmental functions of insect glia including blood-brain-barrier formation, homeostatic functions and potential contributions to synaptic function. Where relevant, we will also point out similarities between the functions of insect glia and their vertebrate counterparts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, 6270 University Blvd. Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z4.
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.forename: Vanessa J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Auld
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000196:embryology; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000196:embryology; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000196:embryology; D006706:Homeostasis; D009024:Morphogenesis; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D009830:Olfactory Bulb / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000196:embryology; D017956:Photoreceptor Cells, Invertebrate / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000196:embryology; D014921:Wings, Animal / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000196:embryology
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents