The schizophrenia susceptibility gene dysbindin controls synaptic homeostasis.

ABSTRACT: The molecular mechanisms that achieve homeostatic stabilization of neural function remain largely unknown. To better understand how neural function is stabilized during development and throughout life, we used an electrophysiology-based forward genetic screen and assessed the function of more than 250 neuronally expressed genes for a role in the homeostatic modulation of synaptic transmission in Drosophila. This screen ruled out the involvement of numerous synaptic proteins and identified a critical function for dysbindin, a gene linked to schizophrenia in humans. We found that dysbindin is required presynaptically for the retrograde, homeostatic modulation of neurotransmission, and functions in a dose-dependent manner downstream or independently of calcium influx. Thus, dysbindin is essen

SUBMITTER: Dickman DK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3063306 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature