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Borderless regulates glial extension and axon ensheathment
Scott Cameron1, Yixu Chen2, Yong Rao3
1McGill Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University Health Centre, 1650 Cedar Avenue, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3G 1A4; Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University Health Centre, 1650 Cedar Avenue, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3G 1A4.
Developmental Biology
|May 2, 2016
Summary
Borderless (Bdl) protein in Drosophila glia is crucial for wrapping axons. This study reveals Bdl
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Axon ensheathment by glial cells is vital for nervous system function.
- Mechanisms of early axon wrapping by glial processes are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the Borderless (Bdl) protein in glial development.
- To elucidate the function of Bdl in axon ensheathment in the Drosophila visual system.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism.
- Examined Bdl expression in wrapping glia (WG).
- Performed cell-type-specific genetic manipulations (transgene rescue and knockdown).
Main Results:
- Bdl is expressed in WG during development.
- Bdl is essential in WG for glial process extension along photoreceptor axons.
- Bdl is required for proper axon ensheathment in the optic lobe.
Conclusions:
- Identified Bdl as a novel glia-specific cell-surface recognition molecule.
- Bdl plays a critical role in regulating glial extension and axon ensheathment.
- Bdl is important for early events in axon wrapping during nervous system development.
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