The Drosophila gene RanBPM functions in the mushroom body to regulate larval behavior.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In vertebrates, Ran-Binding Protein in the Microtubule Organizing Center (RanBPM) appears to function as a scaffolding protein in a variety of signal transduction pathways. In Drosophila, RanBPM is implicated in the regulation of germ line stem cell (GSC) niche organization in the ovary. Here, we addressed the role of RanBPM in nervous system function in the context of Drosophila larval behavior.

Methodology/principal findings

We report that in Drosophila, RanBPM is required for larval feeding, light-induced changes in locomotion, and viability. RanBPM is highly expressed in the Kenyon cells of the larval mushroom body (MB), a structure well studied for its role in associative learning in Drosophila and other insects. RanBPM mutants do not display major disruption

SUBMITTER: Scantlebury N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2871054 | biostudies-literature | 2010 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature