cAMP Signals in Drosophila Motor Neurons Are Confined to Single Synaptic Boutons

• DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.09.090
• Publication Date: 2016-10-25T17:02:04Z
• Authors: Isabella Maiellaro; Martin J. Lohse; Robert J. Kittel; Davide Calebiro
• Keywords: Octopamine (neurotransmitter)

The second messenger cyclic AMP (cAMP) plays an important role in synaptic plasticity. Although there is evidence for local control of transmission and plasticity, it less clear whether a similar spatial confinement cAMP signaling exists. Here, we suggest possible biophysical basis the site-specific regulation plasticity by cAMP, highly diffusible small molecule that transforms physiology synapses specific manner. By exploiting octopaminergic system Drosophila, which mediates structural via cAMP-dependent pathway, demonstrate existence compartments micrometer dimensions within single motor neurons. In addition, provide heterogeneous octopamine receptor localization, coupled with differences phosphodiesterase activity, underlies observed axon, cell body, boutons.