Par6 Functions in Synaptic Growth at the Drosophila Neuromuscular Junction PDF Download

Author: Stephanie A. Moeckel Cole
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Drosophila
Languages : en
Pages : 68

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Book Description

Author:
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 0080857779
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 317

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Book Description
Neuromuscular Junctions in Drosophila gathers the main contributions that research using the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster has made in the area of synapse development, synapse physiology, and excitability of muscles and nerve cells. The chapters in this book represent a synthesis of major advances in our understanding of neuronal development and synaptic physiology, which have been obtained using the above approach.This book is directed to the general neuroscience audience: researchers, instructors, graduate students, and advanced undergraduates who are interested in the mechanisms of synapse development and physiology. However, the book will also be a valuable resource for those that use the fruit fly as a model system in their laboratories. Key Features* Synthesizes the genetic approaches used to study synaptic development and function at the neuromuscular junction, using flies as a model system* Covers major recent advances in muscle development, pathfinding, synapse maturation and plasticity, exo- and endocytosis, and ion channel function* Written in clear language that is easily understandable to readers not already familiar with fruit fly research* Includes numerous diagrams and extensive reference lists

Author: Jeffrey Dason
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 292

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Book Description
Although evolution of brains and behaviors is of fundamental biological importance, we lack comprehensive understanding of the general principles governing these processes or the specific mechanisms and molecules through which the evolutionary changes are effected. Because synapses are the basic structural and functional units of nervous systems, one way to address these problems is to dissect the genetic and molecular pathways responsible for morphological evolution of a defined synapse. I have undertaken such an analysis by examining morphology of the larval neuromuscular junction (NMJ) in wild caught D. melanogaster as well as in over 20 other species of Drosophila. Whereas variation in NMJ morphology within a species is limited, I discovered a surprisingly extensive variation among different species. Compared with evolution of other morphological traits, NMJ morphology appears to be evolving very rapidly. Moreover, my data indicate that natural selection rather than genetic drift is primarily responsible for evolution of NMJ morphology. To dissect underlying molecular mechanisms that may govern NMJ growth and evolutionary divergence, I focused on a naturally occurring variant in D. melanogaster that causes NMJ overgrowth. I discovered that the variant mapped to Mob2, a gene encoding a kinase adapter protein originally described in yeast as a member of the Mitotic Exit Network (MEN). I have subsequently examined mutations in the Drosophila orthologs of all the core components of the yeast MEN and found that all of them function as part of a common pathway that acts presynaptically to negatively regulate NMJ growth. As in the regulation of yeast cytokinesis, these components of the MEN appear to act ultimately by regulating actin dynamics during the process of bouton growth and division. These studies have thus led to the discovery of an entirely new role for the MEN--regulation of synaptic growth--that is separate from its function in cell division. This work has identified a rich source of material for discovery of novel genes and mechanisms that regulate synaptic growth and development, and has also provided new insights into the mechanisms that underlie morphological evolution of nervous systems.

Author: Rupa Ghosh
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Biological sciences
Languages : en
Pages : 406

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Book Description
The Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is a glutamatergic synapse that is structurally and functionally similar to mammalian glutamatergic synapses. These synapses can, as a result in changes in activity, alter the strength of their connections via processes that require chromatin remodeling and changes in gene expression. The chromodomain helicase binding domain (CHD) protein Kismet (Kis) is expressed in both the presynaptic motor neuron nuclei and postsynaptic muscle nuclei of the Drosophila NMJ. Here we show that Kis is involved in the localization and clustering of glutamate receptors in postsynaptic muscle cells, in the proper morphology of presynaptic motor neurons, in larval motor behavior, and in synaptic transmission. Our data suggests that Kis is part of the machinery that modulates the development and function of this synapse. Kis is the homolog to human CHD7, which is mutated in CHARGE syndrome. Thus, our data may suggest novel avenues of investigation for synaptic defects associated with CHARGE syndrome.

Author: Rodolfo Riascos Llinás
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN: 9780195116526
Category : Neural transmission
Languages : en
Pages : 234

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Book Description
Ideal for graduate and undergraduate courses, the book includes PC and Macintosh versions of two programs for simulating and manipulating any aspect of synaptic transmission."--BOOK JACKET.

Author: Hugo J. Bellen
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN:
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 466

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Book Description
This book provides the reader with background information on neurotransmitter release. Emphasis is placed on the rationale by which proteins are assigned specific functions rather than just providing facts about function.

Author: W. Maxwell Cowan
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN: 0195111664
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 575

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Book Description
This text provides a broad but authoritative view of the cellular and molecular aspects of developmental neurobiology written by leaders in the field.

Author: Vivian Budnik
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 0080469132
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 421

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Book Description
The Drosophila larval neuromuscular junction (NMJ) has become one of the most powerful model systems to ask key neurobiological questions. This synapse is unparalleled by its accessibility, its simplicity, and the ability to manipulate genes important for synapse development and function. Its synapses have properties shared by many organisms including humans. The vast majority of genes that when mutated cause congenital disorders of the nervous system in humans, are present in the fruit fly genome, and fly models of human disorders are available. Thus, this preparation is a powerful tool to understand the normal function of these genes. This book reviews outstanding work by recognized leaders in the fields of Drosophila cellular neurogenetics including developmental neurobiology, mechanisms of synaptic function, and experience dependent changes at synapses. The book also includes step-by-step protocols to study the cellular biology of the NMJ, making it a vital resource for researchers beginning their investigations with this system, for those who are training students and postdoctoral fellows in this area, or simply as a general reference material for neuroscientists and neuroscience professors in general. * Provides a synthesis of the main topics in modern neurogenetics* Includes step-by-step protocols for the use of the Drosophila NMJ system in neurobiology lab research* Offers genetic approaches to study synapse development and function*

Author: Andrei I. Ivanov
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1588298655
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 407

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Book Description
In this book, skilled experts provide the most up-to-date, step-by-step laboratory protocols for examining molecular machinery and biological functions of exocytosis and endocytosis in vitro and in vivo. The book is insightful to both newcomers and seasoned professionals. It offers a unique and highly practical guide to versatile laboratory tools developed to study various aspects of intracellular vesicle trafficking in simple model systems and living organisms.