The ubiquitin ligase Highwire is responsible for cell-autonomously promoting
synapse formation in the Drosophila Giant Fiber system. highwire mutants show defects
in synaptic function and extra branching at the axon terminal, corresponding to transient
branching that occur in the course of giant synapse formation during metamorphosis. The
MAP kinase pathway, including Wallenda and JNK/Basket, plus the transcription factor
Jun, act to suppress synaptic function and axon pruning in a dosage sensitive manner,
suggesting different molecular mechanisms downstream of the MAP kinase pathway
govern function and pruning. A novel role for Highwire is revealed, regulating the giant
fiber axon’s ability to respond to external cues regulated by Fos. When expression of the
transcription factor Fos is disrupted in the post-synaptic TTMn or surrounding midline
glia of highwire mutants, the giant fiber axons show a marked increase in axon overgrowth and midline crossing. However, synaptic function is rescued by the cell nonautonomous
manipulation of Fos, indicating distinct mechanisms downstream of Highwire regulating synaptic function and axon morphology. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2014. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fau.edu/oai:fau.digital.flvc.org:fau_13416 |
| Contributors | Borgen, Melissa A. (author), Murphey, Rodney K. (Thesis advisor), Florida Atlantic University (Degree grantor), Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences |
| Publisher | Florida Atlantic University |
| Source Sets | Florida Atlantic University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation, Text |
| Format | 148 p., application/pdf |
| Rights | Copyright © is held by the author, with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder., http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
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