Circadian rhythms in the morphology of neurons in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Drosophila</Emphasis> |
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Authors: | Kerstin I Mehnert Rafael Cantera |
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Institution: | 1.Zoology Department,Stockholm University,Stockholm,Sweden;2.Department of Developmental Neurobiology,Instituto de Investigaciónes Biológicas Clemente Estable,Montevideo,Uruguay |
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Abstract: | Neurons have an enormous capacity to adapt to changing conditions through the regulation of gene expression, morphology, and
physiology. In the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, this plasticity includes recurrent changes taking place within intervals of a few hours during the day. The rhythmic alterations
in the morphology of neurons described so far include changes in axonal diameter, branching complexity, synapse numbers, and
the number of synaptic vesicles. The cycles of these changes have larger amplitude when the fly is exposed to light, but they
persist in constant darkness and require the expression of the clock genes period and timeless, leading to the concept of circadian plasticity. The molecular mechanisms driving these cycles appear to require the expression
of these genes either inside the neurons themselves or in other peripheral pacemaker cells. Loss-of-function mutations in
period and timeless not only abolish the morphological rhythms, but also often cause abnormal axonal branching suggesting that circadian plasticity
is relevant for the maintenance of normal morphology. Research into whether (1) circadian plasticity is a common feature of
neurons in all animals and (2) our own neurons change shape between day and night will be of interest. |
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