The Drosophila larval neuromuscular junction as a model for scaffold complexes at glutamatergic synapses: benefits and limitations.
Based on unbeatable genetic accessibility and relative simplicity, the Drosophila larval neuromuscular junction has become a widely used model system for studying functional and structural aspects of excitatory glutamatergic synapses. Membrane-associated guanylate kinase-like proteins (MAGUKs) are first-order scaffolding molecules enriched at many cellular junctions, including synapses, where they coordinate multiple binding partners, including cell adhesion molecules and ion channels. The enrichment of the prototypic MAGUK Discs-Large at larval NMJs apparently parallels the high abundance of its homologs at excitatory synapses in the mammalian central nervous system. Here, the authors review selected aspects of the long-standing work on Dlg at fly neuromuscular junctions, thereby scrutinizing its subcellular localization, function, and regulation with regard to corresponding aspects of MAGUKs in vertebrate neurons.
Thomas
Ulrich
U
Department of Neurochemistry and Molecular Biology, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany. thomas@ifn-magdeburg.de
Kobler
Oliver
O
Gundelfinger
Eckart D
ED
D000818:Animals; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development*; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000502:physiology*; D007814:Larva / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D023421:Models, Animal; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013570:Synaptic Membranes / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D008565:Membrane Proteins; D018698:Glutamic Acid