Neurexin-1 is required for synapse formation and larvae associative learning in Drosophila.
Neurexins are highly polymorphic cell-surface adhesive molecules in neurons. In cultured mammalian cell system, they were found to be involved in synaptogenesis. Here, we report for the first time that Drosophila neurexin is required for synapse formation and associative learning in larvae. Drosophila genome encodes a single functional neurexin (CG7050; Neurexin-1 or Nrx-1), which is a homolog of vertebrate alpha-neurexin. Neurexin-1 is expressed in central nervous system and highly enriched in synaptic regions of the ventral ganglion and brain. Neurexin-1 null mutants are viable and fertile, but have shortened lifespan. The synapse number is decreased in central nervous system in Neurexin-1 null mutants. In addition, Neurexin-1 null mutants exhibit associative learning defect in larvae.
Zeng
Xiankun
X
Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Genetics Research Center, Southeast University Medical School, Ministry of Education, 87 Dingjiaqiao Road, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China.
Sun
Mingkuan
M
Liu
Li
L
Chen
Fading
F
Wei
Liuchan
L
Xie
Wei
W
D000818:Animals; D001245:Association Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D015816:Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics*; D004330:Drosophila / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics*; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000502:physiology; D005298:Fertility; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007814:Larva / Q000502:physiology*; D008136:Longevity / Q000235:genetics; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics*; D010957:Plasmids; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D017384:Sequence Deletion; D012903:Smell / Q000502:physiology*; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*
D015816:Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C491321:Nrx protein, Drosophila; D012333:RNA, Messenger