The Journal of Neuroscience, August 15, 2002, 22(16):7088-7096
Gap Junction Proteins Expressed during Development Are Required
for Adult Neural Function in the Drosophila Optic
Lamina
Kathryn D.
Curtin,
Zhan
Zhang, and
Robert J.
Wyman
Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental
Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511
We provide evidence that gap junction proteins, expressed during
development, are necessary for the formation of normally functioning
connections in the Drosophila optic lamina. Flies with
mutations in the gap junction genes (innexins),
shakingB, and ogre have normal
photoreceptor potentials but a defective response of the postsynaptic
cells in the optic lamina. This is indicated by a reduction in, or
absence of, transients in the electroretinogram. Ogre is required in
the presynaptic retinal photoreceptors. ShakingB(N) is, at a minimum,
required in postsynaptic lamina neurons. Transgenic expression of the
appropriate innexins during pupal development (but not later) rescues
connection defects. Transient gap junctions have been observed to
precede chemical synapse formation and have been hypothesized to play a
role in connectivity and synaptogenesis; however, no causal role has
been demonstrated. Here we show that developmental gap junction genes can be required for normally functioning neural connections to form.
Key words:
gap junctions; innexins; neural connections; Drosophila; visual system; development
Copyright © 2002 Society for Neuroscience 0270-6474/02/22167088-09$05.00/0
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