CAMP Signals in Drosophila Motor Neurons Are Confined to Single Synaptic Boutons.

ABSTRACT: The second messenger cyclic AMP (cAMP) plays an important role in synaptic plasticity. Although there is evidence for local control of synaptic transmission and plasticity, it is less clear whether a similar spatial confinement of cAMP signaling exists. Here, we suggest a possible biophysical basis for the site-specific regulation of synaptic plasticity by cAMP, a highly diffusible small molecule that transforms the physiology of synapses in a local and specific manner. By exploiting the octopaminergic system of Drosophila, which mediates structural synaptic plasticity via a cAMP-dependent pathway, we demonstrate the existence of local cAMP signaling compartments of micrometer dimensions within single motor neurons. In addition, we provide evidence that heterogeneous octopamine receptor lo

SUBMITTER: Maiellaro I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5098120 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature