A5052785044- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Cellular transport and secretion
- Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Speech and Audio Processing
- RNA Research and Splicing
- Hearing Loss and Rehabilitation
- Nuclear Structure and Function
- Retinal Development and Disorders
- Music Technology and Sound Studies
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Acoustic Wave Phenomena Research
- Physiological and biochemical adaptations
- Axon Guidance and Neuronal Signaling
- Developmental Biology and Gene Regulation
- Invertebrate Immune Response Mechanisms
- Advanced Adaptive Filtering Techniques
- Ion channel regulation and function
- Photoreceptor and optogenetics research
- Multimedia Communication and Technology
- Lipid Membrane Structure and Behavior
- Cellular Mechanics and Interactions
- RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
- Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms
- Hippo pathway signaling and YAP/TAZ
- Human Pose and Action Recognition
University of Chicago
2018-2024
University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School
2008-2018
University of Colorado Denver
2005
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
1974-2005
University of Florida
1966
As synapses grow at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction, they shed membrane material in an activity-dependent manner. Glia and postsynaptic muscle cells are required to engulf this debris ensure new synaptic growth.
A previously unrecognized mechanism through which large ribonucleoprotein (megaRNP) granules exit the nucleus is by budding nuclear envelope (NE). This akin to egress of herpes-type viruses and essential for proper synapse development. However, molecular machinery required remodel NE during this process unknown. Here, we identify Torsin, an AAA-ATPase that in humans linked dystonia, as a major mediator primary megaRNP envelopment budding. In torsin mutants, megaRNPs accumulate within...
Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) have been universally recognized for their essential roles during synapse remodeling. However, the downstream pathways activated by CAMs remained mostly unknown. Here, we used Drosophila larval neuromuscular junction to investigate Fasciclin II (FasII), a transmembrane CAM of Ig superfamily, We show that ability FasII stimulate or prevent formation depends on symmetry levels in presynaptic and postsynaptic cell requires presence fly homolog amyloid precursor...
The Wingless pathway plays an essential role during synapse development. Recent studies at Drosophila glutamatergic synapses suggest that is secreted by motor neuron terminals and binds to postsynaptic Frizzled-2 (DFz2) receptors. DFz2 is, in turn, endocytosed transported the muscle perinuclear area, where it cleaved, C-terminal fragment imported into nucleus, presumably regulate transcription growth. Alterations this interfere with formation of new synaptic boutons lead aberrant structures....
Glial cells are emerging as important regulators of synapse formation, maturation, and plasticity through the release secreted signaling molecules. Here we use chromatin immunoprecipitation along with Drosophila genomic tiling arrays to define potential targets glial transcription factor Reversed polarity ( Repo ). Unexpectedly, identified wingless wg ), a morphogen that regulates synaptic growth at larval neuromuscular junction (NMJ), target gene. We demonstrate expression in vivo local...
The Drosophila larval neuromuscular system provides an ideal context in which to study synaptic partner choice, because it contains a small number of pre- and postsynaptic cells connected invariant pattern. discovery interactions between two subfamilies IgSF cell surface proteins, the Dprs DIPs, provided new candidates for cellular labels controlling specificity. Here we show that DIP-α is expressed by identified motor neurons, while its binding Dpr10 muscle targets. Removal either or...
In stereotyped neuronal networks, synaptic connectivity is dictated by cell surface proteins, which assign unique identities to neurons, and physically mediate axon guidance synapse targeting. We recently identified two groups of immunoglobulin superfamily proteins in Drosophila, Dprs DIPs, as strong candidates for targeting functions. Here, we uncover the molecular basis specificity Dpr–DIP mediated cellular adhesions connectivity. First, present five crystal structures DIP–DIP complexes,...
Throughout the nervous system, convergence of two or more presynaptic inputs on a target cell is commonly observed. The question we ask here to what extent converging influence each other's structural and functional synaptic plasticity. In complex circuits, isolating individual difficult because postsynaptic cells can receive thousands inputs. An ideal model address this Drosophila larval neuromuscular junction (NMJ) where muscle receives from glutamatergic types motor neurons (MNs), known...
The Drosophila Dpr and DIP proteins belong to the immunoglobulin superfamily of cell surface (CSPs). Their hetero- homophilic interactions have been implicated in a variety neuronal functions, including synaptic connectivity, survival, axon fasciculation. However, signaling pathways underlying these diverse functions are unknown. To gain insight into Dpr-DIP signaling, we sought examine how CSPs associated with membrane. Specifically, asked whether Dprs DIPs integral membrane or anchored...
Targeted membrane addition is a hallmark of many cellular functions. In the nervous system, modification synaptic size has major impact on function. However, because complex shape neurons and need to target very small polarized compartments, this process poorly understood. Here, we show that Gtaxin (GTX), Drosophila t-SNARE (target-soluble N -ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor), required for expansion postsynaptic membranes during new synapse formation. Mutations in...
Abstract Actin remodeling has emerged as a critical process during synapse development and plasticity. Thus, understanding the regulatory mechanisms controlling actin organization at synapses is exceedingly important. Here, we used highly plastic Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJ) to understand of postsynaptic sites. Previous studies have suggested that actin‐binding proteins Spectrin Coracle play role in NMJ anchoring glutamate receptors most likely through regulation. show an...
An important mechanism underlying synapse development and plasticity is the localization of mRNAs that travel from nucleus to synaptic sites. Here we demonstrate giant nuclear-associated Nesprin1 (dNesp1) forms striated F-actin-based filaments, which dubbed "railroad tracks," span muscle nuclei postsynaptic sites at neuromuscular junction in Drosophila. These railroad tracks specifically wrap around immature boutons formed during response electrical activity. In absence dNesp1, normally...
ABSTRACT In complex nervous systems, neurons must identify their correct partners to form synaptic connections. The prevailing model ensure recognition posits that cell-surface proteins (CSPs) in individual act as identification tags. Thus, knowing what cells express which CSPs would provide insights into neural development, connectivity, and system evolution. Here, we investigated expression of Dpr DIP genes, two CSP subfamilies belonging the immunoglobulin superfamily, Drosophila larval...
Neuronal cell death and subsequent brain dysfunction are hallmarks of aging neurodegeneration, but how the nearby healthy neurons (bystanders) respond to their neighbors is not fully understood. In Drosophila larval neuromuscular system, bystander motor can structurally functionally compensate for loss by increasing terminal bouton number activity. We term this compensation as cross-neuron plasticity, in study, we demonstrate that engulfment receptor, Draper, associated kinase, Shark,...