title: Nibbling away at synaptic development.
abstract: Beyond its role as a response to starvation, autophagy has been increasingly implicated as part of the normal mechanisms regulating growth and remodeling of various cells and tissues during development. In recently published work we demonstrate that autophagy promotes synaptic development of the Drosophila larval neuromuscular junction (NMJ). We find that autophagy acts by downregulating an E3 ubiquitin ligase, Highwire (Hiw), which limits NMJ growth via a MAPKKK pathway. A similar role for autophagy in the synaptic remodeling that occurs during learning and memory remains an intriguing possibility.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Barry
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ganetzky
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001343:Autophagy / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D004330:Drosophila / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D013569:Synapses / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins