Alterations in both acetylcholinesterase activity and synaptic scaffolding protein localization in the nervous system of Drosophila presenilin mutants

作者：Kim Won Tae; Choi Hee Jung; Park Yunwoong; Kim A young; Kim Young Ho; Seo Jongbok; Lee Si Hyeock; Koh Young Ho^*

来源：Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology, 2010, 13(4): 339-343.

DOI：10.1016/j.aspen.2010.05.006

• Acetylcholinesterase
• Alzheimer's disease
• Synaptic plasticity
• Discs large
• Synaptic terminals

Presenilins are one of two types of critical genetic factors in familial Alzheimer's disease, and they regulate various cellular functions such as intracellular Ca(2+) homeostasis, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response, apoptosis, and synaptic transmission. We utilized Drosophila presenilin (psis) mutants as a model for studying the role of this gene in regulating acetylcholinesterase activity (AChE) and synaptic plasticity. Several lines of biochemical evidence indicated that AChE activity in a functionally null psis mutant (psn(B3)) was significantly reduced. In addition, we also found that psn(B3) mutant neuromuscular junctions (NMjs) had smaller synaptic boutons and altered localization of Discs large, a synaptic scaffolding protein at the synaptic terminals compared to wild-type controls. These phenotypic defects were completely rescued in transgenic lines expressing the long form of wild-type Psn under an endogenous psn promoter cassette (PEPC-Psn(WT); psn(B3) lines). Taken together, these results indicate that Psn is important for regulating AChE activity, the size of synaptic boutons, and the localization of DLG at synaptic terminals.

• 出版日期2010-12