Drosophila neuromuscular synapse assembly and function require the TGF-beta type I receptor saxophone and the transcription factor Mad.

Full Abstract

Transforming growth factor-betas (TGF-beta) comprise a superfamily of secreted proteins with diverse functions in patterning and cell division control. TGF-beta signaling has been implicated in synapse assembly and plasticity in both vertebrate and invertebrate systems. Recently, wishful thinking, a Drosophila gene that encodes a protein related to BMP type II receptors, has been shown to be required for the normal function and development of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). These findings suggest that a TGF-beta-related ligand activates a signaling cascade involving type I and II receptors and the Smad family of transcription factors to orchestrate the assembly of the NMJ. Here we demonstrate that the TGF-beta type I receptor Saxophone and the downstream transcription factor Mothers against dpp (Mad) are essential for the normal structural and functional development of the Drosophila NMJ, a synapse that displays activity-dependent plasticity. Copyright 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Author information

Author/s: Rawson, Joel M (JM); Lee, Michael (M); Kennedy, Eric L (EL); Selleck, Scott B (SB);

Affiliation: Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, ARL Division of Neurobiology, and the Arizona Cancer Center, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85724, USA.

Grants: 5T32AG07434 (Agency:NIA NIH HHS) ; GM54832 (Agency:NIGMS NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Journal: Journal of neurobiology (J Neurobiol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2003-May; vol 55 (issue 2) : pp 134-50

Dates: Created 2003/04/02; Completed 2003/06/04; Revised 2007/11/15;

PMID: 12672013, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Activin Receptors, Type I - deficiency; genetics; physiology
Animals
DNA-Binding Proteins - deficiency; genetics; physiology
Drosophila
Drosophila Proteins - deficiency; genetics; physiology
Mutation - physiology
Neuromuscular Junction - embryology; genetics; physiology

Neuronal Plasticity - physiology
Organ Specificity - physiology
Protein Processing, Post-Translational - physiology
Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases
Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta - deficiency; genetics; physiology
Synapses - genetics; metabolism
Transcription Factors - deficiency; genetics; physiology

Associated Chemicals: DNA-Binding Proteins (0) ; Drosophila Proteins (0) ; MAD protein, Drosophila (0) ; Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta (0) ; Transcription Factors (0) ; sax protein, Drosophila (0) ; TGF-beta type I receptor (EC 2.7.1.11) ; Activin Receptors, Type I (EC 2.7.1.37) ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases (EC 2.7.11.1)

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