Bruchpilot, a protein with homology to ELKS/CAST, is required for structural integrity and function of synaptic active zones in Drosophila.
Neurotransmitters are released at presynaptic active zones (AZs). In the fly Drosophila, monoclonal antibody (MAB) nc82 specifically labels AZs. We employ nc82 to identify Bruchpilot protein (BRP) as a previously unknown AZ component. BRP shows homology to human AZ protein ELKS/CAST/ERC, which binds RIM1 in a complex with Bassoon and Munc13-1. The C terminus of BRP displays structural similarities to multifunctional cytoskeletal proteins. During development, transcription of the bruchpilot locus (brp) coincides with neuronal differentiation. Panneural reduction of BRP expression by RNAi constructs permits a first functional characterization of this large AZ protein: larvae show reduced evoked but normal spontaneous transmission at neuromuscular junctions. In adults, we observe loss of T bars at active zones, absence of synaptic components in electroretinogram, locomotor inactivity, and unstable flight (hence "bruchpilot"-crash pilot). We propose that BRP is critical for intact AZ structure and normal-evoked neurotransmitter release at chemical synapses of Drosophila.
Lehrstuhl für Genetik und Neurobiologie, Theodor-Boveri-Institut für Biowissenschaften, Am Hubland, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany.
Dhananjay A
DA
Wagh
Tobias M
TM
Rasse
Esther
E
Asan
Alois
A
Hofbauer
Isabell
I
Schwenkert
Heike
H
Dürrbeck
Sigrid
S
Buchner
Marie-Christine
MC
Dabauvalle
Manuela
M
Schmidt
Gang
G
Qin
Carolin
C
Wichmann
Robert
R
Kittel
Stephan J
SJ
Sigrist
Erich
E
Buchner
D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D015152:Blotting, Northern / Q000379:methods; D015153:Blotting, Western / Q000379:methods; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004330:Drosophila; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D034281:Dynamins / Q000378:metabolism; D015180:Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D007120:Immunochemistry / Q000379:methods; D017403:In Situ Hybridization / Q000379:methods; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / Q000379:methods; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017729:Presynaptic Terminals / Q000378:metabolism; D012318:RNA Polymerase I; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000494:pharmacology; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D040681:Structural Homology, Protein; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology
D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; C510146:BRP protein, Drosophila; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; C468925:ERC1 protein, human; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; C119975:POLR1G protein, human; D012318:RNA Polymerase I; D034281:Dynamins