Differential functions of phosphatidylinositol 4-kinases in neurotransmission and synaptic development.

Phosphoinositides, such as PI(4,5)P, are known to function as structural components of membranes, signalling molecules, markers of membrane identity, mediators of protein recruitment and regulators of neurotransmission and synaptic development. Phosphatidylinositol 4-kinases (PI4Ks) synthesize PI4P, which are precursors for PI(4,5)P, but may also have independent functions. The roles of PI4Ks in neurotransmission and synaptic development have not been studied in detail.

Immunofluorescence as a Method to Study Golgi Organization in Larval Salivary Glands of Drosophila melanogaster.

Immunofluorescence is an important research tool in cell biology that reveals structural organization of subcellular organelles by detecting their associated constituents. Here, we describe an antibody staining method to detect Golgi-associated proteins in Drosophila larval salivary glands, using the cis-Golgi protein Lava lamp and the clathrin adaptor AP-1 as a suitable example. Golgi bodies immunostained using this protocol can be visualized using confocal or structured illumination microscopy.

Mutant IP3 receptors attenuate store-operated Ca2+ entry by destabilizing STIM-Orai interactions in Drosophila neurons.

Store-operated Ca entry (SOCE) occurs when loss of Ca from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stimulates the Ca sensor, STIM, to cluster and activate the plasma membrane Ca channel Orai (encoded by Olf186-F in flies). Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IPRs, which are encoded by a single gene in flies) are assumed to regulate SOCE solely by mediating ER Ca release. We show that in Drosophila neurons, mutant IPR attenuates SOCE evoked by depleting Ca stores with thapsigargin.

The genetics of calcium signaling in Drosophila melanogaster.

Background: Genetic screens for behavioral and physiological defects in Drosophila melanogaster, helped identify several components of calcium signaling of which some, like the Trps, were novel. For genes initially identified in vertebrates, reverse genetic methods have allowed functional studies at the cellular and systemic levels.

Scope Of Review: The aim of this review is to explain how various genetic methods available in Drosophila have been used to place different arms of Ca2+ signaling in the context of organismal development, physiology and behavior.