Photoreceptor degeneration and Ca2+ influx through light-activated channels of Drosophila.

Adv Exp Med Biol

Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1392, USA.

Published: July 2003

We discuss in this chapter the role of Ca2+ homeostasis in maintaining the structural integrity of photoreceptor cells in Drosophila. Both insufficient and excessive amounts of Ca2+ in photoreceptor cells appear to lead to cell degeneration. Because one of the two classes of light-sensitive channels in Drosophila photoreceptors is highly Ca2+-permeable, how well this class of channels functions can profoundly affect Ca2+ homeostasis. We will begin by reviewing Drosophila phototransduction, emphasizing what is known about the mechanism of activation of light-sensitive channels. We will then describe Ca2+ entry through light-sensitive channels and the presumed mechanisms by which too little and too much Ca2+ entry can both cause photoreceptor degeneration. We will conclude the chapter with discussions of two examples of mutations known to cause unregulated Ca2+ entry through light-sensitive channels, leading to massive photoreceptor degeneration.

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-0121-3_33DOI Listing

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