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Title Mutations in the Drosophila pushover gene confer increased neuronal excitability and spontaneous synaptic vesicle fusion
Creator/Author Richards, S. ; Hillman, T. ; Stern, M. [Rice Univ., Houston, TX (United States)]
Publication Date1996 Apr 01
OSTI IdentifierOSTI ID: 518188
Other Number(s)GENTAE; ISSN 0016-6731; CNN: Grant GM-46566
Resource TypeJournal Article
Resource RelationGenetics ; VOL. 142 ; ISSUE: 4 ; PBD: Apr 1996
Subject55 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE, BASIC STUDIES ; GENES; GENE RECOMBINATION; GENE MUTATIONS; GENETIC MAPPING; CHROMOSOMES; DROSOPHILA; GENOTYPE; MUTANTS; PHENOTYPE; STERILITY; BEHAVIOR; ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY; PORINS; BIOELECTRICITY; SODIUM; POTASSIUM; ELECTRIC POTENTIAL; CALCIUM
Description/Abstract We describe the identification of a gene called pushover (push), which affects both behavior and synaptic transmission at the neuromuscular junction. Adults carrying either of two mutations in push exhibit sluggishness, uncoordination, a defective escape response, and male sterility. Larvae defective in push exhibit increased release of transmitter at the neuromuscular junction. In particular, the frequency of spontaneous transmitter release and the amount of transmitter release evoked by nerve stimulation are each increased two- to threefold in push mutants at the lowest external[(Ca{sup 2+})] tested (0.15 mM). Furthermore, these mutants are more sensitive than wild type to application of the potassium channel-blocking drug quinidine: following quinidine application, push mutants, but not wild-type, display repetitive firing of the motor axon, leading to repetitive muscle postsynaptic potentials. The push gene thus might affect both neuronal excitability and the transmitter release process. Complementation tests and recombinational mapping suggest that the push mutations are allelic to a previously identified P-element-induced mutation, which also causes behavorial abnormalities and male sterility. 43 refs., 5 figs., 1 tab.
Country of PublicationUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Formatpp. 1215-1223 ; PL:
System Entry Date2001 May 05

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