title: Active zone stability: insights from fly neuromuscular junction.
abstract: The presynaptic active zone is a dynamic structure that orchestrates regulated release of neurotransmitters. Developmental and aging processes, and changes in neuronal network activity can all modulate the number, size and composition of active zone and thereby synaptic efficacy. However, very little is known about the mechanism that controls the structural stability of active zone. By studying a model synapse, the Drosophila neuromuscular junction, our recent work shed light on how two scaffolding proteins at the active zone regulate active zone stability by promoting a localized dephosphorylation event at the nerve terminal. Here we discuss the major insights from our findings and their implications for future research.
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Center of Excellence, Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA.
authors.forename: Xiaolin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Center of Excellence, Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA.
authors.forename: Chunlai
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wu
keywords: Drosophila; GSK-3β; Liprin-α; PP2A; Syd-1; active zone stability; dephosphorylation; neuromuscular junction