Genes that control neuromuscular specificity in Drosophila

Article Abstract:

Neural specificity in Drosophila is controlled by a hierarchy of molecular mechanisms. Motoneurons are directed toward the correct region of mesoderm, often maneuvering a series of specific choice points. They then exhibit an affinity for a specific domain of neighboring muscles, often temporarily probing many of the muscles within it. They eventually identify their specific muscle target within their domain, and transform into a presynaptic terminal. The five genes that control various aspects of neuromuscular connectivity are beat, sand, shot, wako and clu.

Neurology

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Semaphorin II can function as a selective inhibitor of specific synaptic arborizations

Article Abstract:

Examination of transgenic Drosophila that express semaphorin II by a single thoracic muscle during embryonic development suggested that semaphorin II functions as an inhibitor during target recognition. Semaphorin inhibited the expression of motoneuron growth cones, which are essential in the formation of synaptic vesicles. This suggests that semaphorin II has a bifunctional role by controlling both growth cone guidance and target recognition in cells.

Membrane proteins

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The Drosophila beaten path gene encodes a novel secreted protein that regulates defasciculation at motor axon choice points

Article Abstract:

The role of the beaten path (beat) gene in the selective defasciculation of motor axon choice points was analyzed in Drosophila embryo with mutated FasII and conn genes. The segmental nerve axons of the mutant Drosophila embryos failed to form a distinct fascicle from the intersegmental nerve (ISN). The ISN axons also failed to disengage from the surface of Fasciclin II-expressing m cells indicating the anti-adhesive function of the beat gene.

Genetic aspects, Developmental biology, Genetic transcription, Transcription (Genetics), Developmental neurology

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