Article
Neurosciences
Yupu Wang, Meike Lobb-Rabe, James Ashley, Veera Anand, Robert A. Carrillo
Summary: In Drosophila larval neuromuscular junctions, ablating specific types of motor neurons can lead to structural changes and increased neurotransmitter release at other motor neuron synapses, demonstrating synaptic plasticity. Some synapses exhibit compensatory plasticity, while silencing one type of motor neuron can affect the plasticity of other types of synapses.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Y. Li, M. Patel, J. Baroudi, M. Wu, S. Gatti, M. Liang, P. Wipf, Y. Badawi, Stephen D. Meriney
Summary: Despite previous efforts, the age-induced loss of muscle strength, known as dynapenia, remains a significant challenge with negative impacts on the quality of life in older individuals. Our study focused on the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) and revealed biphasic neurotransmission changes in male mice, with an initial increase followed by a later decrease, alongside structural alterations in the NMJ. We successfully used the therapeutic candidate GV-58 to mitigate age-induced reductions in transmitter release, resulting in improved muscle function.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Kiel G. Ormerod, Anthony E. Scibelli, J. Troy Littleton
Summary: The Drosophila neuromuscular system has been used to study synaptic development and function, but little is known about specific synaptic alterations on neuromuscular transduction and muscle contractility. Studies show that larval muscle contraction force increases with motoneuron stimulation frequency and duration, with plasticity between 5 and 40 Hz. Genetic and pharmacological manipulations of Ca2+ regulation components affect muscle contraction strength and timing. Identification of a FMRFa peptide and its signaling pathway dramatically improves muscle performance, showcasing Drosophila as a model for studying excitation-contraction coupling.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Emily L. Hendricks, Ireland R. Smith, Bruna Prates, Fatemeh Barmaleki, Faith L. W. Liebl
Summary: The study reveals the role of CD63 and its homologs, Tsp42Ee and Tsp42Eg, in regulating synaptic vesicle pools and synaptic dysfunction. These proteins negatively regulate endocytosis and positively regulate neurotransmitter release. They also influence the synaptic cytoskeleton, membrane composition, and the localization of vesicle-associated proteins.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Kaikai He, Yifu Han, Xiling Li, Roberto X. Hernandez, Danielle Riboul, Touhid Feghhi, Karlis A. Justs, Olena Mahneva, Sarah Perry, Gregory T. Macleod, Dion Dickman
Summary: Neurons exhibit functional diversity and can be classified into tonic or phasic patterns of activity. The synaptic differences between tonic and phasic neurons have remained unclear, but this study found major distinctions in neurotransmitter release properties, Ca2+ influx, and synaptic vesicle coupling between these two types of neurons. The organization and stoichiometry of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels at phasic neuron release sites were also observed to be different. These findings suggest that active zone nano-architecture and Ca2+ influx contribute to differential glutamate release at tonic and phasic synapses.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Molly J. Kirk, Brittany R. Benlian, Yifu Han, Arya Gold, Ashvin Ravi, Parker E. Deal, Rosana S. Molina, Mikhail Drobizhev, Dion Dickman, Kristin Scott, Evan W. Miller
Summary: This study successfully combines a chemically-synthesized, voltage-sensitive fluorophore with a genetically encoded, self-labeling enzyme to enable voltage imaging in Drosophila melanogaster. Through in vivo experiments in intact fly brains, selective neuron labeling was achieved, validating the voltage sensitivity of RhoVR-Halo in fly tissue.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Virender K. Sahota, Aelfwin Stone, Nathaniel S. Woodling, Jereme G. Spiers, Joern R. Steinert, Linda Partridge, Hrvoje Augustin
Summary: Alterations in the neuromuscular system contribute to various diseases and aging-related muscle loss. This study identifies Plum as a modulator of MYO function in the neuromuscular system and reveals its role in regulating muscle size and synaptic function.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Jessica M. Sidisky, Danielle de Paula Moreira, Meryem Okumus, Russell Caratenuto, Cassidy Drost, Bali Connors, Sarrah Hussain, Stephanie Alkhatib, Daniel T. Babcock
Summary: Maintaining synaptic communication is crucial for preserving nervous system function as an organism ages. A genetic screen identified several genes associated with synaptic maintenance, offering insights into the mechanisms responsible for maintaining synaptic integrity with age.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yoon-Jung Kim
Summary: Activity-dependent regulation of synaptic structures plays a key role in synaptic development and plasticity. The serine/threonine protein kinase Akt is important in rapid synaptic structural changes at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction, affecting pre- and postsynaptic growth and differentiation.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Guzalia F. Zakirjanova, Arthur R. Giniatullin, Chulpan R. Gafurova, Artem I. Malomouzh, Nikita S. Fedorov, Arthur N. Khaziev, Andrei N. Tsentsevitsky, Alexey M. Petrov
Summary: This study investigates the effects of enzymatic cholesterol oxidation on neuromuscular transmission in mice diaphragms. The results show that cholesterol oxidation disrupts lipid-ordering in synaptic membranes, decreases synaptic delay and exocytosis probability, enhances neurotransmitter and dye release, and inhibits extracellular acetylcholine accumulation. Additionally, cholesterol oxidation affects the mode of exocytosis and may be related to lipid raft disruption.
ARCHIVES OF BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Irene Sanchez-Mirasierra, Sergio Hernandez-Diaz, Saurav Ghimire, Carla Montecinos-Oliva, Sandra-Fausia Soukup
Summary: This article introduces two ImageJ/Fiji automated macros for analyzing synaptic autophagy and exosome release from 2D confocal images, revealing their important roles in neurobiology. The tools Autophagoquant and Exoquant can assist researchers in unbiased, standardized, and rapid analysis of autophagy and exosomal release in the Drosophila NMJ.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ifigeneia Giakoumaki, Natalie Pollock, Turki Aljuaid, Anthony J. Sannicandro, Moussira Alameddine, Euan Owen, Ioanna Myrtziou, Susan E. Ozanne, Ioannis Kanakis, Katarzyna Goljanek-Whysall, Aphrodite Vasilaki
Summary: Sarcopenia is characterized by a decrease in muscle fibers and weakening of remaining fibers, resulting in reduced muscle mass and function. This study found that low-protein diet during pregnancy and early postnatal low-protein intake in mice can impact skeletal muscle physiology and favor bone integrity in adulthood.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Toxicology
Jakob T. Gunderson, Ashley E. Peppriell, Ian N. Krout, Daria Vorojeikina, Matthew D. Rand
Summary: MeHg exposure during development affects muscle development and nerve conduction in Drosophila, with the gene nlg1 playing a key role in mediating sensitivity to MeHg. Reduced innervation of flight muscles and flight ability were observed with MeHg exposure, along with changes in the expression of nlg1 and other NMJ-associated genes during different stages of development. Modulation of nlg1 levels during metamorphosis can impact adult flight abilities, with muscle-specific overexpression of nlg1 partially rescuing MeHg-induced deficits.
TOXICOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Matthew D. W. Piper, Brooke Zanco, Carla M. Sgro, Margo Adler, Christen K. Mirth, Russell Bonduriansky
Summary: Reducing overall food intake or altering the proportion of protein relative to other macronutrients can extend lifespan in various organisms. A recent study using Drosophila melanogaster females has identified a single micronutrient that can explain the impact of dietary restriction on lifespan. This finding suggests a potential mechanism involving a trade-off between lifespan and reproduction, depending on the availability of an essential micronutrient - a sterol.
Review
Neurosciences
Maria Bykhovskaia
Summary: Nerve terminals release neuronal transmitters at active zones (AZs), where synaptic vesicle fusion is probabilistic. Recently, the development of transgenic Drosophila lines expressing GCaMP has allowed for the visualization of single exocytic events at individual AZs. This mini-review discusses how this approach enables the study of evoked and spontaneous transmission at single AZs, improving our understanding of release components.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Kavithalakshmi Sataranatarajan, Yuji Ikeno, Alex Bokov, Denis Feliers, Himabindu Yalamanchili, Hak Joo Lee, Meenalakshmi M. Mariappan, Hooman Tabatabai-Mir, Vivian Diaz, Sanjay Prasad, Martin A. Javors, Goutam Ghosh Choudhury, Gene B. Hubbard, Jeffrey L. Barnes, Arlan Richardson, Balakuntalam S. Kasinath
JOURNALS OF GERONTOLOGY SERIES A-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND MEDICAL SCIENCES
(2016)
Article
Cell Biology
Robert J. Mishur, Maruf Khan, Erin Munkacsy, Lokendra Sharma, Alex Bokov, Haley Beam, Oxana Radetskaya, Megan Borror, Rebecca Lane, Yidong Bai, Shane L. Rea
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhongmin Lu, Amit K. Chouhan, Jolanta A. Borycz, Zhiyuan Lu, Adam J. Rossano, Keith L. Brain, You Zhou, Ian A. Meinertzhagen, Gregory T. Macleod
Article
Neurosciences
Adam J. Rossano, Akira Kato, Karyl I. Minard, Michael F. Romero, Gregory T. Macleod
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2017)
Article
Cell Biology
Yiqiang Zhang, Yuhong Liu, Michael Walsh, Alex Bokov, Yuji Ikeno, Young C. Jang, Viviana I. Perez, Holly Van Remmen, Arlan Richardson
MECHANISMS OF AGEING AND DEVELOPMENT
(2016)
Article
Cell Biology
Berrak Ugur, Huan Bao, Michal Stawarski, Lita R. Duraine, Zhongyuan Zuo, Yong Qi Lin, G. Gregory Neely, Gregory T. Macleod, Edwin R. Chapman, Hugo J. Bellen
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Michal Stawarski, Karlis Anthony Justs, Roberto Xander Hernandez, Gregory Talisker Macleod
JOURNAL OF NEUROGENETICS
(2018)
Article
Cell Biology
Wilson C. Fok, Carolina Livi, Alex Bokov, Zhen Yu, Yidong Chen, Arlan Richardson, Viviana I. Perez
MECHANISMS OF AGEING AND DEVELOPMENT
(2014)
Article
Neurosciences
Scott J. Gratz, Pragya Goel, Joseph J. Bruckner, Roberto X. Hernandez, Karam Khateeb, Gregory T. Macleod, Dion Dickman, Kate M. O'Connor-Giles
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2019)
Article
Neurosciences
Michal Stawarski, Roberto X. Hernandez, Touhid Feghhi, Jolanta A. Borycz, Zhiyuan Lu, Andrea B. Agarwal, Kelly D. Reihl, Rubens Tavora, A. W. C. Lau, Ian A. Meinertzhagen, Robert Renden, Gregory T. Macleod
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2020)
Article
Cell Biology
Tae Hee Han, Rosario Vicidomini, Cathy Isaura Ramos, Qi Wang, Peter Nguyen, Michal Jarnik, Chi-Hon Lee, Michal Stawarski, Roberto X. Hernandez, Gregory T. Macleod, Mihaela Serpe
Article
Biophysics
Touhid Feghhi, Roberto X. Hernandez, Michal Stawarski, Connon Thomas, Naomi Kamasawa, A. W. C. Lau, Gregory T. Macleod
Summary: The study reveals that at chemical synapses, the pH of the synaptic cleft rapidly switches from acidic to alkaline after neurotransmitter release due to the activity of plasma membrane calcium-ATPase. Phosphate buffering is effective in suppressing cleft alkalinization.
BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Karlis A. Justs, Zhongmin Lu, Amit K. Chouhan, Jolanta A. Borycz, Zhiyuan Lu, Ian A. Meinertzhagen, Gregory T. Macleod
Summary: Neurons require stable energy supply and optimize mitochondrial volume and density according to presynaptic power demands.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Kaikai He, Yifu Han, Xiling Li, Roberto X. Hernandez, Danielle Riboul, Touhid Feghhi, Karlis A. Justs, Olena Mahneva, Sarah Perry, Gregory T. Macleod, Dion Dickman
Summary: Neurons exhibit functional diversity and can be classified into tonic or phasic patterns of activity. The synaptic differences between tonic and phasic neurons have remained unclear, but this study found major distinctions in neurotransmitter release properties, Ca2+ influx, and synaptic vesicle coupling between these two types of neurons. The organization and stoichiometry of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels at phasic neuron release sites were also observed to be different. These findings suggest that active zone nano-architecture and Ca2+ influx contribute to differential glutamate release at tonic and phasic synapses.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Pathology
Xiang Bai, Margaret Chia-Ying Wey, Elizabeth Fernandez, Matthew J. Hart, Jonathan Gelfond, Alex F. Bokov, Sheela Rani, Randy Strong
PATHOBIOLOGY OF AGING AND AGE-RELATED DISEASES
(2015)