Rapid Changes in the Translatome during the Conversion of Growth Cones to Synaptic Terminals.

A common step in the formation of neural circuits is the conversion of growth cones to presynaptic terminals. Characterizing patterns of global gene expression during this process is problematic due to the cellular diversity of the brain and the complex temporal dynamics of development. Here, we take advantage of the synchronous conversion of Drosophila photoreceptor growth cones into presynaptic terminals to explore global changes in gene expression during presynaptic differentiation.

Ig Superfamily Ligand and Receptor Pairs Expressed in Synaptic Partners in Drosophila.

Information processing relies on precise patterns of synapses between neurons. The cellular recognition mechanisms regulating this specificity are poorly understood. In the medulla of the Drosophila visual system, different neurons form synaptic connections in different layers.

UNC-18 promotes both the anterograde trafficking and synaptic function of syntaxin.

The SM protein UNC-18 has been proposed to regulate several aspects of secretion, including synaptic vesicle docking, priming, and fusion. Here, we show that UNC-18 has a chaperone function in neurons, promoting anterograde transport of the plasma membrane soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) protein Syntaxin-1. In unc-18 mutants, UNC-64 (Caenorhabditis elegans Syntaxin-1) accumulates in neuronal cell bodies.

UNC-108/Rab2 regulates postendocytic trafficking in Caenorhabditis elegans.

After endocytosis, membrane proteins are often sorted between two alternative pathways: a recycling pathway and a degradation pathway. Relatively little is known about how trafficking through these alternative pathways is differentially regulated. Here, we identify UNC-108/Rab2 as a regulator of postendocytic trafficking in both neurons and coelomocytes.

Antagonistic regulation of synaptic vesicle priming by Tomosyn and UNC-13.

Priming of synaptic vesicles (SVs) is essential for synaptic transmission. UNC-13 proteins are required for priming. Current models propose that UNC-13 stabilizes the open conformation of Syntaxin, in which the SNARE helix is available for interactions with Synaptobrevin and SNAP-25.