Specific presynaptic functions require distinct <i>Drosophila</i> Ca_v2 splice isoforms.

ABSTRACT: At many vertebrate synapses, presynaptic functions are tuned by expression of different Ca_v2 channels. Most invertebrate genomes contain only one Ca_v2 gene. The Drosophila Ca_v2 homolog, cacophony (cac), induces synaptic vesicle release at presynaptic active zones (AZs). We hypothesize that Drosophila cac functional diversity is enhanced by two mutually exclusive exon pairs that are not conserved in vertebrates, one in the voltage sensor and one in the loop binding Ca_β and G_βγ subunits. We find that alternative splicing in the voltage sensor affects channel activation voltage. Only the isoform with the higher activation voltage localizes to AZs at the glutamatergic Drosophila larval neuromuscular junction and

SUBMITTER: Bell C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11828482 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature