Transcriptional feedback links lipid synthesis to synaptic vesicle pools in Drosophila photoreceptors

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Abstract/Contents

Abstract
Neurons can maintain stable synaptic connections across adult life. However, the signals that regulate expression of synaptic proteins in the mature brain are incompletely understood. Here we describe a transcriptional feedback loop between the biosynthesis of specific phospholipids containing long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) and the synaptic vesicle pool in adult Drosophila photoreceptors. Mutations that disrupt biosynthesis of these phospholipids cause degeneration of the axon terminal and loss of synaptic vesicles. While degeneration of the axon terminal is dependent on neural activity, activation of Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein (SREBP) is both necessary and sufficient to cause synaptic vesicle loss. Our studies demonstrate that SREBP regulates synaptic vesicle levels by controlling tetraspanins, critical organizers of membranous organelles. SREBP is an evolutionarily conserved regulator of lipid biosynthesis in non-neuronal cells; these studies reveal a surprising role for this feedback loop in maintaining synaptic vesicle pools in the adult brain.

Description

Type of resource text
Form electronic; electronic resource; remote
Extent 1 online resource.
Publication date 2015
Issuance monographic
Language English

Creators/Contributors

Associated with Tsai, Jessica Whei
Associated with Stanford University, Neurosciences Program.
Primary advisor Clandinin, Thomas R. (Thomas Robert), 1970-
Thesis advisor Clandinin, Thomas R. (Thomas Robert), 1970-
Thesis advisor Barres, Ben
Thesis advisor Reimer, Richard J
Thesis advisor Wang, Xinnan
Advisor Barres, Ben
Advisor Reimer, Richard J
Advisor Wang, Xinnan

Subjects

Genre Theses

Bibliographic information

Statement of responsibility Jessica Whei Tsai.
Note Submitted to the Program in Neurosciences.
Thesis Thesis (Ph.D.)--Stanford University, 2015.
Location electronic resource

Access conditions

Copyright
© 2015 by Jessica Whei Tsai

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