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Related Experiment Videos

Got diversity? Wiring the fly brain with Dscam.

S Lawrence Zipursky1, Woj M Wojtowicz, Daisuke Hattori

  • 1Department of Biological Chemistry, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1662, USA. lzipursky@mednet.ucla.edu

Trends in Biochemical Sciences
|August 22, 2006
PubMed
Summary

The Drosophila gene Dscam generates over 38,000 cell adhesion molecule isoforms. These isoforms specifically bind to identical partners, enabling precise neural circuit wiring in flies.

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Neuroscience
  • Genetics

Background:

  • The Drosophila gene Dscam (Down syndrome cell-adhesion molecule) is crucial for neural circuit development.
  • Alternative splicing of Dscam mRNA can produce a vast number of protein isoforms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential for Dscam isoforms to mediate specific cell-surface recognition events.
  • To understand the molecular basis of Dscam isoform binding.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of Dscam gene structure and alternative splicing.
  • Biochemical studies to examine isoform binding preferences.

Main Results:

  • Dscam potentially generates 38,016 unique isoforms, each with a distinct ectodomain.

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  • Each isoform consists of a unique combination of three variable immunoglobulin domains.
  • Biochemical data suggest homophilic binding, requiring precise matching across all three variable domains.

    • Conclusions:

    • Dscam isoform specificity in binding may mediate cell-surface recognition.
    • This specificity is essential for the accurate wiring of the fly brain's neural circuits.