Ras proteins are small GTPases with well known functions in cell proliferation and differentiation. In these processes, they play key roles as molecular switches that can trigger distinct signal transduction pathways, such as the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, the phosphoinositide- 3 kinase pathway, and the Ral-guanine nucleotide dissociation stimulator pathway. Several studies have implicated Ras proteins in the development and function of synapses, but the molecular mechanisms for this regulation are poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that the Ras-MAPK pathway is involved in synaptic plasticity at the Drosophila larval neuromuscular junction. Both Ras1 and MAPK are expressed at the neuromuscular junction, and modification of their activity levels results in an altered number of synaptic boutons. Gain- or loss-of-function mutations in Ras1 and MAPK reveal that regulation of synapse structure by this signal transduction pathway is dependent on fasciclin II localization at synaptic boutons. These results provide evidence for a Ras-dependent signaling cascade that regulates fasciclin II-mediated cell adhesion at synaptic terminals during synapse growth.
机构:
Columbia Univ, Ctr Neurobiol & Behav, Howard Hughes Med Inst, New York, NY 10032 USAColumbia Univ, Ctr Neurobiol & Behav, Howard Hughes Med Inst, New York, NY 10032 USA
Abel, T
;
Martin, KC
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Columbia Univ, Ctr Neurobiol & Behav, Howard Hughes Med Inst, New York, NY 10032 USAColumbia Univ, Ctr Neurobiol & Behav, Howard Hughes Med Inst, New York, NY 10032 USA
Martin, KC
;
Bartsch, D
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Columbia Univ, Ctr Neurobiol & Behav, Howard Hughes Med Inst, New York, NY 10032 USAColumbia Univ, Ctr Neurobiol & Behav, Howard Hughes Med Inst, New York, NY 10032 USA
Bartsch, D
;
Kandel, ER
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Columbia Univ, Ctr Neurobiol & Behav, Howard Hughes Med Inst, New York, NY 10032 USAColumbia Univ, Ctr Neurobiol & Behav, Howard Hughes Med Inst, New York, NY 10032 USA
机构:
Columbia Univ, Ctr Neurobiol & Behav, Howard Hughes Med Inst, New York, NY 10032 USAColumbia Univ, Ctr Neurobiol & Behav, Howard Hughes Med Inst, New York, NY 10032 USA
Abel, T
;
Martin, KC
论文数: 0引用数: 0
h-index: 0
机构:
Columbia Univ, Ctr Neurobiol & Behav, Howard Hughes Med Inst, New York, NY 10032 USAColumbia Univ, Ctr Neurobiol & Behav, Howard Hughes Med Inst, New York, NY 10032 USA
Martin, KC
;
Bartsch, D
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h-index: 0
机构:
Columbia Univ, Ctr Neurobiol & Behav, Howard Hughes Med Inst, New York, NY 10032 USAColumbia Univ, Ctr Neurobiol & Behav, Howard Hughes Med Inst, New York, NY 10032 USA
Bartsch, D
;
Kandel, ER
论文数: 0引用数: 0
h-index: 0
机构:
Columbia Univ, Ctr Neurobiol & Behav, Howard Hughes Med Inst, New York, NY 10032 USAColumbia Univ, Ctr Neurobiol & Behav, Howard Hughes Med Inst, New York, NY 10032 USA