Extensive morphological divergence and rapid evolution of the larval neuromuscular junction in Drosophila.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Megan Campbell, Barry Ganetzky

Abstract

Although the complexity and circuitry of nervous systems undergo evolutionary change, we lack understanding of the general principles and specific mechanisms through which it occurs. The Drosophila larval neuromuscular junction (NMJ), which has been widely used for studies of synaptic development and function, is also an excellent system for studies of synaptic evolution because the genus spans >40 Myr of evolution and the same identified synapse can be examined across the entire phylogeny. We have now characterized morphology of the NMJ on muscle 4 (NMJ4) in >20 species of Drosophila. Although there is little variation within a species, NMJ morphology and complexity vary extensively between species. We find no significant correlation between NMJ phenotypes and phylogeny for the species examined, suggesting that drift alone cannot explain the phenotypic variation and that selection likely plays an important role. However, the nature of the selective pressure is still unclear because basic parameters of synaptic function remain uniform. Whatever the mechanism, NMJ morphology is evolving rapidly in comparison with other morphological features because NMJ phenotypes differ even between several sibling species pairs. The discovery ...Continue Reading

References

Mar 1, 1991·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·S R'KhaJ R David
Jun 6, 2000·Neuron·H I WanC S Goodman
Jan 22, 2004·Bioinformatics·Emmanuel ParadisKorbinian Strimmer
Jul 1, 1981·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·J C FoglemanW B Heed
Jun 17, 2006·Annual Review of Neuroscience·Graeme W Davis
Jan 19, 2007·Current Opinion in Neurobiology·Catherine A Collins, Aaron DiAntonio
Dec 11, 2007·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Beth L Dumont, Bret A Payseur
Sep 10, 2009·Nature Reviews. Neuroscience·Tomás J Ryan, Seth G N Grant
Sep 30, 2009·The Journal of Cell Biology·Wei Shen, Barry Ganetzky
Oct 30, 2009·Journal of Neurogenetics·Benjamin Lovegren de BivortYi Zhong
Jan 18, 2011·Current Opinion in Neurobiology·Vivian Budnik, Patricia C Salinas

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Oct 5, 2012·The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience·Daniel L MillerBarry Ganetzky
Jun 14, 2020·Journal of Anatomy·Aleksandra M MechJames N Sleigh
Sep 27, 2012·Journal of Biological Rhythms·Priya M Prabhakaran, Vasu Sheeba

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.