Cell-Autonomous Requirement of the USP/EcR-B Ecdysone Receptor for Mushroom Body Neuronal Remodeling in Drosophila

• Published in: Neuron (Cambridge, Mass.) Mass.), 2000-12, Vol.28 (3), p.807-818
• Main Authors: Lee, Tzumin, Marticke, Simone, Sung, Carl, Robinow, Steven, Luo, Liqun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alleles; Animals; Axons - metabolism; Axons - ultrastructure; Clone Cells - cytology; Clone Cells - metabolism; Crosses, Genetic; Dendrites - genetics; Dendrites - metabolism; Dendrites - ultrastructure; DNA-Binding Proteins - genetics; DNA-Binding Proteins - metabolism; Drosophila; Drosophila - metabolism; Drosophila Proteins; Genes, Lethal; Insect Proteins; Mutation; Neurons - cytology; Neurons - metabolism; Protein Isoforms; Receptors, Steroid - genetics; Receptors, Steroid - metabolism; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; Transcription Factors - genetics; Transcription Factors - metabolism
• ISSN: 0896-6273; 1097-4199
• DOI: 10.1016/S0896-6273(00)00155-0

Neuronal process remodeling occurs widely in the construction of both invertebrate and vertebrate nervous systems. During Drosophila metamorphosis, γ neurons of the mushroom bodies (MBs), the center for olfactory learning in insects, undergo pruning of larval-specific dendrites and axons followed by outgrowth of adult-specific processes. To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms, we conducted a genetic mosaic screen and identified one ultraspiracle ( usp) allele defective in larval process pruning. Consistent with the notion that USP forms a heterodimer with the ecdysone receptor (EcR), we found that the EcR-B1 isoform is specifically expressed in the MB γ neurons, and is required for the pruning of larval processes. Surprisingly, most identified primary EcR/USP targets are dispensable for MB neuronal remodeling. Our study demonstrates cell-autonomous roles for EcR/USP in controlling neuronal remodeling, potentially through novel downstream targets.