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Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Using Drosophila Larval Neuromuscular Junction and Muscle Cells to Visualize Microtubule Network
Published on: October 20, 2023
Postsynaptic mad signaling at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction
Veronica Dudu1, Thomas Bittig, Eugeni Entchev
1Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany.
Background:
Cell-to-cell communication at the synapse involves synaptic transmission as well as signaling mediated by growth factors, which provide developmental and plasticity cues. There is evidence that a retrograde, presynaptic transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) signaling event regulates synapse development and function in Drosophila.
Results:
Here we show that a postsynaptic TGF-beta signaling event occurs during larval development. The type I receptor Thick veins (Tkv) and the R-Smad transcription factor Mothers-against-dpp (Mad) are localized postsynaptically in the muscle. Furthermore, Mad phosphorylation occurs in regions facing the presynaptic active zones of neurotransmitter release within the postsynaptic subsynaptic reticulum (SSR). In order to monitor in real time the levels of TGF-beta signaling in the synapse during synaptic transmission, we have established a FRAP assay to measure Mad nuclear import/export in the muscle. We show that Mad nuclear trafficking depends on stimulation of the muscle.
Conclusions:
Our data suggest a mechanism linking synaptic transmission and postsynaptic TGF-beta signaling that may coordinate nerve-muscle development and function.
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Synaptic Signaling
Most synapses are chemical, meaning an electrical impulse or action potential spurs the release of chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. The neuron sending the signal is called the presynaptic neuron, and the neuron receiving the signal is the postsynaptic neuron.
The presynaptic neuron fires an action potential that...
Synaptic Signaling

