Logo image
Targeted expression of shibirets and semaphorin 1a reveals critical periods for synapse formation in the giant fiber of Drosophila
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Targeted expression of shibirets and semaphorin 1a reveals critical periods for synapse formation in the giant fiber of Drosophila

R. K Murphey, Stephan J Froggett, Phyllis Caruccio, Xiaoliang Shan-Crofts, Toshihiro Kitamoto and Tanja A Godenschwege
Development (Cambridge), Vol.130(16), pp.3671-3682
08/15/2003
DOI: 10.1242/dev.00598
PMID: 12835384
url
https://doi.org/10.1242/dev.00598View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

In order to determine the timing of events during the assembly of a neural circuit in Drosophila we targeted expression of the temperature-sensitive shibire gene to the giant fiber system and then disrupted endocytosis at various times during development. The giant fiber retracted its axon or incipient synapses when endocytosis was blocked at critical times, and we perceived four phases to giant fiber development: an early pathfinding phase, an intermediate phase of synaptogenesis, a late stabilization process and, finally, a mature synapse. By co-expressing shibire(ts) and semaphorin 1a we provided evidence that Semaphorin 1a was one of the proteins being regulated by endocytosis and its removal was a necessary part of the program for synaptogenesis. Temporal control of targeted expression of the semaphorin 1a gene showed that acute excess Semaphorin 1a had a permanent disruptive effect on synapse formation.

Details

Metrics

Logo image