title: ELP3 controls active zone morphology by acetylating the ELKS family member Bruchpilot.
abstract: Elongator protein 3 (ELP3) acetylates histones in the nucleus but also plays a role in the cytoplasm. Here, we report that in Drosophila neurons, ELP3 is necessary and sufficient to acetylate the ELKS family member Bruchpilot, an integral component of the presynaptic density where neurotransmitters are released. We find that in elp3 mutants, presynaptic densities assemble normally, but they show morphological defects such that their cytoplasmic extensions cover a larger area, resulting in increased vesicle tethering as well as a more proficient neurotransmitter release. We propose a model where ELP3-dependent acetylation of Bruchpilot at synapses regulates the structure of individual presynaptic densities and neurotransmitter release efficiency.
authors.affiliation: VIB, Department of Molecular and Developmental Genetics, B3000 Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Miśkiewicz
authors.forename: Liya E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Jose
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bento-Abreu
authors.forename: Marcus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fislage
authors.forename: Ines
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Taes
authors.forename: Jarosław
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kasprowicz
authors.forename: Jef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Swerts
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sigrist
authors.forename: Wim
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Versées
authors.forename: Wim
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Robberecht
authors.forename: Patrik
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Verstreken
mesh_terms: D000107:Acetylation; D000123:Acetyltransferases; D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D004330:Drosophila; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D051548:Histone Acetyltransferases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007814:Larva; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D017729:Presynaptic Terminals / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014162:Transfection / Q000379:methods; D014404:Tubulin / Q000378:metabolism; D015027:Zebrafish
chemical_list: C510146:BRP protein, Drosophila; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D014404:Tubulin; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D000123:Acetyltransferases; C538730:ELP3 protein, Drosophila; D051548:Histone Acetyltransferases