A Tripartite Synapse Model in Drosophila

摘要: Tripartite (three-part) synapses are defined by physical and functional interactions of glia with pre- post-synaptic elements. Although tripartite thought to be widespread importance in neurological health disease, we only beginning develop an understanding glial contributions synaptic function. In contrast studies neuronal mechanisms, a significant limitation has been the lack invertebrate genetic model system which conserved mechanisms synapse function may examined through large-scale application forward genetics genome-wide tools. Here report Drosophila exhibits morphological properties similar those mammalian synapses, including regulation extracellular glutamate, synaptically-induced calcium transients coupling tracheal structures mediating gas exchange. combination classical cell-type specific approaches Drosophila, this is expected provide new insights into molecular cellular