RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Drosophila Vesicular Monoamine Transporter Mutants Can Adapt to Reduced or Eliminated Vesicular Stores of Dopamine and Serotonin
JF Genetics
JO Genetics
FD Genetics Society of America
SP 525
OP 541
DO 10.1534/genetics.108.094110
VO 181
IS 2
A1 Simon, Anne F.
A1 Daniels, Richard
A1 Romero-Calderón, Rafael
A1 Grygoruk, Anna
A1 Chang, Hui-Yun
A1 Najibi, Rod
A1 Shamouelian, David
A1 Salazar, Evelyn
A1 Solomon, Mordecai
A1 Ackerson, Larry C.
A1 Maidment, Nigel T.
A1 DiAntonio, Aaron
A1 Krantz, David E.
YR 2009
UL http://www.genetics.org/content/181/2/525.abstract
AB Physiologic and pathogenic changes in amine release induce dramatic behavioral changes, but the underlying cellular mechanisms remain unclear. To investigate these adaptive processes, we have characterized mutations in the Drosophila vesicular monoamine transporter (dVMAT), which is required for the vesicular storage of dopamine, serotonin, and octopamine. dVMAT mutant larvae show reduced locomotion and decreased electrical activity in motoneurons innervating the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) implicating central amines in the regulation of these activities. A parallel increase in evoked glutamate release by the motoneuron is consistent with a homeostatic adaptation at the NMJ. Despite the importance of aminergic signaling for regulating locomotion and other behaviors, adult dVMAT homozygous null mutants survive under conditions of low population density, thus allowing a phenotypic characterization of adult behavior. Homozygous mutant females are sterile and show defects in both egg retention and development; males also show reduced fertility. Homozygotes show an increased attraction to light but are mildly impaired in geotaxis and escape behaviors. In contrast, heterozygous mutants show an exaggerated escape response. Both hetero- and homozygous mutants demonstrate an altered behavioral response to cocaine. dVMAT mutants define potentially adaptive responses to reduced or eliminated aminergic signaling and will be useful to identify the underlying molecular mechanisms.