Poster Session: Abnormal GSK3β activity affects Drosophila vision.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3β) is crucial for neuronal development and axon maintenance.
• Dysregulated GSK3β activity is linked to microtubule (MT) unbundling, potentially causing axonal transport and synaptic deficits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of abnormal GSK3β activity on neuronal function.
• To determine if MT unbundling is the primary cause of visual defects in GSK3β-dysregulated neurons.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Drosophila visual system to study neuronal function.
• Employed steady-state visually evoked potential (SSVEP) recordings to assess electrophysiological responses to visual stimuli.
• Administered the MT-stabilizing drug Epothilone B (EpoB) to investigate the role of MT unbundling.

Main Results:

• Flies with overactive or inactive GSK3β exhibited abnormal visual responses compared to controls.
• The MT-stabilizing drug EpoB did not rescue visual defects and induced adverse effects.
• GSK3β dysregulation leads to neuronal dysfunction in the fly visual system.

Conclusions:

• GSK3β dysregulation causes significant neuronal dysfunction in the Drosophila visual system.
• Microtubule unbundling is unlikely to be the sole mechanism responsible for the observed visual defects.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the complete mechanisms underlying GSK3β-associated neuronal dysfunction.