dTULP, the Drosophila melanogaster homolog of tubby, regulates transient receptor potential channel localization in cilia.
Mechanically gated ion channels convert sound into an electrical signal for the sense of hearing. In Drosophila melanogaster, several transient receptor potential (TRP) channels have been implicated to be involved in this process. TRPN (NompC) and TRPV (Inactive) channels are localized in the distal and proximal ciliary zones of auditory receptor neurons, respectively. This segregated ciliary localization suggests distinct roles in auditory transduction. However, the regulation of this localization is not fully understood. Here we show that the Drosophila Tubby homolog, King tubby (hereafter called dTULP) regulates ciliary localization of TRPs. dTULP-deficient flies show uncoordinated movement and complete loss of sound-evoked action potentials. Inactive and NompC are mislocalized in the cilia of auditory receptor neurons in the dTulp mutants, indicating that dTULP is required for proper cilia membrane protein localization. This is the first demonstration that dTULP regulates TRP channel localization in cilia, and suggests that dTULP is a protein that regulates ciliary neurosensory functions.
Department of Oral Biology, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Korea.
Jina
J
Park
Jeongmi
J
Lee
Jaewon
J
Shim
Woongsu
W
Han
Jinu
J
Lee
Yong Chul
YC
Bae
Yun Doo
YD
Chung
Chul Hoon
CH
Kim
Seok Jun
SJ
Moon
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D002923:Cilia / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D006309:Hearing / Q000235:genetics*; D040542:Mechanotransduction, Cellular / Q000235:genetics; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D013016:Sound; D050051:Transient Receptor Potential Channels / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D005136:Eye Proteins; D050051:Transient Receptor Potential Channels; C491354:ktub protein, Drosophila