Abstract
Neurotransmission at chemical synapses involves regulated exocytosis of neurotransmitter from the presynaptic terminal. Neurotransmitter release is thought to be triggered by calcium influx through specific classes of voltage-gated calcium channels. Here we report genetic and functional analysis implicating a specific calcium channel gene product in neurotransmitter release. We have isolated a temperature-sensitive paralytic allele of the Drosophila calcium channel α1 subunit gene, cacophony (cac). This mutant, referred to as cac(TS2), allows functional analysis of synaptic transmission after acute perturbation of a specific α1 subunit. Electrophysiological analysis at neuromuscular synapses revealed that neurotransmitter release in cac(TS2) is markedly reduced at elevated temperatures, indicating that cac encodes a primary α1 subunit functioning in synaptic transmission. These observations further define the molecular basis of voltage-gated calcium entry at synapses and provide a new starting point for further genetic analysis of synaptic mechanisms.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 4885-4889 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Journal of Neuroscience |
Volume | 20 |
Issue number | 13 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 1 2000 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Cacophony
- Calcium channel
- Drosophila
- Neurotransmitter release
- Synaptic transmission
- Temperature-sensitive
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Neuroscience