Highwire Regulates Synaptic Growth in Drosophila

The formation, stabilization, and growth of synaptic connections are dynamic and highly regulated processes. The glutamatergic neuromuscular junction (NMJ) in Drosophila grows new boutons and branches throughout larval development. A primary walking behavior screen followed by a secondary anatomical...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Neuron (Cambridge, Mass.) Mass.), 2000-05, Vol.26 (2), p.313-329
Main Authors: Wan, Hong I., DiAntonio, Aaron, Fetter, Richard D., Bergstrom, Kendra, Strauss, Roland, Goodman, Corey S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Caenorhabditis elegans - genetics
Chromosome Mapping
Drosophila - genetics
Drosophila - growth & development
Drosophila - physiology
Drosophila melanogaster
Drosophila Proteins
Growth Cones - metabolism
highwire gene
Humans
Molecular Sequence Data
Mutation - physiology
Nerve Tissue Proteins - chemistry
Nerve Tissue Proteins - genetics
Nerve Tissue Proteins - metabolism
Nerve Tissue Proteins - physiology
Neuromuscular Junction - ultrastructure
Peptide Fragments - genetics
Peptide Fragments - physiology
Presynaptic Terminals - metabolism
Presynaptic Terminals - ultrastructure
Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
Synapses - physiology
Synapses - ultrastructure
Tissue Distribution
Transcription, Genetic
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Summary:The formation, stabilization, and growth of synaptic connections are dynamic and highly regulated processes. The glutamatergic neuromuscular junction (NMJ) in Drosophila grows new boutons and branches throughout larval development. A primary walking behavior screen followed by a secondary anatomical screen led to the identification of the highwire ( hiw) gene. In hiw mutants, the specificity of motor axon pathfinding and synapse formation appears normal. However, NMJ synapses grow exuberantly and are greatly expanded in both the number of boutons and the extent and length of branches. These synapses appear normal ultrastructurally but have reduced quantal content physiologically. hiw encodes a large protein found at presynaptic terminals. Within presynaptic terminals, HIW is localized to the periactive zone surrounding active zones; Fasciclin II (Fas II), which also controls synaptic growth, is found at the same location.
ISSN:0896-6273
1097-4199
DOI:10.1016/S0896-6273(00)81166-6