Biomaterial Database

Presynaptic local signaling by a canonical wingless pathway regulates development of the Drosophila neuromuscular junction. 2008

Claudia Miech, and Hans-Ulrich Pauer, and Xi He, and Thomas L Schwarz

F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.

Wnt/wingless signaling contributes to the development of neuronal synapses, including the Drosophila neuromuscular junction. Loss of wg (wingless) function alters the number and structure of boutons at this model synapse. Examining Wnt/wingless signaling mechanisms, we find that a distinct pathway operates presynaptically in the motoneuron and can account for many of the effects of wingless at this synapse. This pathway includes the canonical elements arrow/LRP (low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein), dishevelled, and the glycogen synthase kinase shaggy (GSK3) and regulates the formation of microtubule loops within synaptic boutons as well as the number of synaptic boutons. This pathway, however, appears to be independent of beta-catenin signaling and the transcriptional regulation that is most frequently downstream of these components. Instead, inhibition of shaggy is likely to act locally. This pathway thus provides a parallel mechanism to the postsynaptic activation of frizzled receptors and indicates that synaptic development results from the bidirectional influence of wingless on both presynaptic and postsynaptic structures via distinct intracellular pathways.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009469	Neuromuscular Junction	The synapse between a neuron and a muscle.	Myoneural Junction,Nerve-Muscle Preparation,Junction, Myoneural,Junction, Neuromuscular,Junctions, Myoneural,Junctions, Neuromuscular,Myoneural Junctions,Nerve Muscle Preparation,Nerve-Muscle Preparations,Neuromuscular Junctions,Preparation, Nerve-Muscle,Preparations, Nerve-Muscle
D004330	Drosophila	A genus of small, two-winged flies containing approximately 900 described species. These organisms are the most extensively studied of all genera from the standpoint of genetics and cytology.	Fruit Fly, Drosophila,Drosophila Fruit Flies,Drosophila Fruit Fly,Drosophilas,Flies, Drosophila Fruit,Fly, Drosophila Fruit,Fruit Flies, Drosophila
D006735	Horseradish Peroxidase	An enzyme isolated from horseradish which is able to act as an antigen. It is frequently used as a histochemical tracer for light and electron microscopy. Its antigenicity has permitted its use as a combined antigen and marker in experimental immunology.	Alpha-Peroxidase,Ferrihorseradish Peroxidase,Horseradish Peroxidase II,Horseradish Peroxidase III,Alpha Peroxidase,II, Horseradish Peroxidase,III, Horseradish Peroxidase,Peroxidase II, Horseradish,Peroxidase III, Horseradish,Peroxidase, Ferrihorseradish,Peroxidase, Horseradish
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D015398	Signal Transduction	The intracellular transfer of information (biological activation/inhibition) through a signal pathway. In each signal transduction system, an activation/inhibition signal from a biologically active molecule (hormone, neurotransmitter) is mediated via the coupling of a receptor/enzyme to a second messenger system or to an ion channel. Signal transduction plays an important role in activating cellular functions, cell differentiation, and cell proliferation. Examples of signal transduction systems are the GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID-postsynaptic receptor-calcium ion channel system, the receptor-mediated T-cell activation pathway, and the receptor-mediated activation of phospholipases. Those coupled to membrane depolarization or intracellular release of calcium include the receptor-mediated activation of cytotoxic functions in granulocytes and the synaptic potentiation of protein kinase activation. Some signal transduction pathways may be part of larger signal transduction pathways; for example, protein kinase activation is part of the platelet activation signal pathway.	Cell Signaling,Receptor-Mediated Signal Transduction,Signal Pathways,Receptor Mediated Signal Transduction,Signal Transduction Pathways,Signal Transduction Systems,Pathway, Signal,Pathway, Signal Transduction,Pathways, Signal,Pathways, Signal Transduction,Receptor-Mediated Signal Transductions,Signal Pathway,Signal Transduction Pathway,Signal Transduction System,Signal Transduction, Receptor-Mediated,Signal Transductions,Signal Transductions, Receptor-Mediated,System, Signal Transduction,Systems, Signal Transduction,Transduction, Signal,Transductions, Signal
D017729	Presynaptic Terminals	The distal terminations of axons which are specialized for the release of neurotransmitters. Also included are varicosities along the course of axons which have similar specializations and also release transmitters. Presynaptic terminals in both the central and peripheral nervous systems are included.	Axon Terminals,Nerve Endings, Presynaptic,Synaptic Boutons,Synaptic Terminals,Axon Terminal,Bouton, Synaptic,Boutons, Synaptic,Ending, Presynaptic Nerve,Endings, Presynaptic Nerve,Nerve Ending, Presynaptic,Presynaptic Nerve Ending,Presynaptic Nerve Endings,Presynaptic Terminal,Synaptic Bouton,Synaptic Terminal,Terminal, Axon,Terminal, Presynaptic,Terminal, Synaptic,Terminals, Axon,Terminals, Presynaptic,Terminals, Synaptic
D049452	Green Fluorescent Proteins	Protein analogs and derivatives of the Aequorea victoria green fluorescent protein that emit light (FLUORESCENCE) when excited with ULTRAVIOLET RAYS. They are used in REPORTER GENES in doing GENETIC TECHNIQUES. Numerous mutants have been made to emit other colors or be sensitive to pH.	Green Fluorescent Protein,Green-Fluorescent Protein,Green-Fluorescent Proteins,Fluorescent Protein, Green,Fluorescent Proteins, Green,Protein, Green Fluorescent,Protein, Green-Fluorescent,Proteins, Green Fluorescent,Proteins, Green-Fluorescent
D051153	Wnt Proteins	Wnt proteins are a large family of secreted glycoproteins that play essential roles in EMBRYONIC AND FETAL DEVELOPMENT, and tissue maintenance. They bind to FRIZZLED RECEPTORS and act as PARACRINE PROTEIN FACTORS to initiate a variety of SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION PATHWAYS. The canonical Wnt signaling pathway stabilizes the transcriptional coactivator BETA CATENIN.	Wingless Type Protein,Wnt Factor,Wnt Protein,Wingless Type Proteins,Wnt Factors,Factor, Wnt,Protein, Wingless Type,Protein, Wnt,Type Protein, Wingless
D051157	Frizzled Receptors	A family of seven-pass transmembrane cell-surface proteins that combines with LOW DENSITY LIPROTEIN RECEPTOR-RELATED PROTEIN-5 or LOW DENSITY LIPROTEIN RECEPTOR-RELATED PROTEIN-5 to form receptors for WNT PROTEINS. Frizzled receptors often couple with HETEROTRIMERIC G PROTEINS and regulate the WNT SIGNALING PATHWAY.	Frizzled Proteins,Frizzled Receptor,Receptors, Frizzled,Receptor, Frizzled
D029721	Drosophila Proteins	Proteins that originate from insect species belonging to the genus DROSOPHILA. The proteins from the most intensely studied species of Drosophila, DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER, are the subject of much interest in the area of MORPHOGENESIS and development.	Drosophila melanogaster Proteins,Proteins, Drosophila,Proteins, Drosophila melanogaster,melanogaster Proteins, Drosophila