Targeted expression of truncated glued disrupts giant fiber synapse formation in Drosophila.

Glued(1) (Gl(1)) mutants produce a truncated protein that acts as a poison subunit and disables the cytoplasmic retrograde motor dynein. Heterozygous mutants have axonal defects in the adult eye and the nervous system. Here we show that selective expression of the poison subunit in neurons of the giant fiber (GF) system disrupts synaptogenesis between the GF and one of its targets, the tergotrochanteral motorneuron (TTMn). Growth and pathfinding by the GF axon and the TTMn dendrite are normal, but the terminal of the GF axon fails to develop normally and becomes swollen with large vesicles. This is a presynaptic defect because expression of truncated Glued restricted to the GF results in the same defect. When tested electrophysiologically, the flies with abnormal axons show a weakened or absent GF-TTMn connection. In Glued(1) heterozygotes, GF-TTMn synapse formation appears morphologically normal, but adult flies show abnormal responses to repetitive stimuli. This physiological effect is also observed when tetanus toxin is expressed in the GFs. Because the GF-TTMn is thought to be a mixed electrochemical synapse, the results show that Glued has a role in assembling both the chemical and electrical components. We speculate that disrupting transport of a retrograde signal disrupts synapse formation and maturation.

Dynein-dynactin function and sensory axon growth during Drosophila metamorphosis: A role for retrograde motors.

Mutations in the genes for components of the dynein-dynactin complex disrupt axon path finding and synaptogenesis during metamorphosis in the Drosophila central nervous system. In order to better understand the functions of this retrograde motor in nervous system assembly, we analyzed the path finding and arborization of sensory axons during metamorphosis in wild-type and mutant backgrounds. In wild-type specimens the sensory axons first reach the CNS 6-12 h after puparium formation and elaborate their terminal arborizations over the next 48 h. In Glued1 and Cytoplasmic dynein light chain mutants, proprioceptive and tactile axons arrive at the CNS on time but exhibit defects in terminal arborizations that increase in severity up to 48 h after puparium formation. The results show that axon growth occurs on schedule in these mutants but the final process of terminal branching, synaptogenesis, and stabilization of these sensory axons requires the dynein-dynactin complex. Since this complex functions as a retrograde motor, we suggest that a retrograde signal needs to be transported to the nucleus for the proper termination of some sensory neurons.

Mutant molecular motors disrupt neural circuits in Drosophila.

A dominant negative mutation, Glued1, that codes for a component of the dynactin complex, disrupted the axonal anatomy of leg sensory neurons in Drosophila. To examine neuron structure in mutant animals, a P[Gal4] enhancer trap targeted expression of lacZ to the sensory neurons and thereby labeled neurons in the femoral chordotonal organ and their axons within the central nervous system. When these sensory axons were examined in the Glued1 mutant specimens, they were observed to arborize abnormally. This anatomical disruption of the sensory axons was associated with a corresponding disruption in a reflex. Normally, the tibial extensor motor neurons were excited when the femoral-tibial joint was flexed, but this resistance reflex was nearly absent in mutant animals. We used the P[Gal4] insertion strains to target expression of tetanus toxin light chain to these sensory neurons in wild-type animals and showed that this blocked the resistance reflex and produced a phenocopy of the Glued result. We conclude that disruption of the dynein-dynactin complex disrupts sensory axon path finding during metamorphosis, and this in turn disrupts synaptic connectivity.

Mutations in the 8 kDa dynein light chain gene disrupt sensory axon projections in the Drosophila imaginal CNS.

Mutations in an 8 kDa (8x10(3) Mr) cytoplasmic dynein light chain disrupt sensory axon trajectories in the imaginal nervous system of Drosophila. Weak alleles are behaviorally mutant, female-sterile and exhibit bristle thinning and bristle loss. Null alleles are lethal in late pupal stages and alter neuronal anatomy within the imaginal CNS. We utilized P[Gal4] inserts to examine the axon projections of stretch receptor neurons and an engrailed-lacZ construct to characterize the anatomy of tactile neurons. In mutant animals both types of sensory neurons exhibited altered axon trajectories within the CNS, suggesting a defect in axon pathfinding. However, the alterations in axon trajectory did not prevent these axons from reaching their normal termination regions. In the alleles producing these neuronal phenotypes, expression of the cytoplasmic dynein 8 kDa light chain gene is completely absent. These results demonstrate a new function for the cytoplasmic dynein light chain in the regulation of axonogenesis and may provide a point of entry for studies of the role of cellular motors in growth cone guidance.

Isolation of mutations affecting neural circuitry required for grooming behavior in Drosophila melanogaster.

We have developed a screen for the isolation of mutations that produce neural defects in adult Drosophila melanogaster. In this screen, we identify mutants as flies unable to remove a light coating of applied dust in a 2-hr period. We have recovered and characterized six mutations and have found that they produce coordination defects and some have reduced levels of reflex responsiveness to the stimulation of single tactile sensory bristles. The grooming defects produced by all six of the mutations are recessive, and each of the mutations has been genetically mapped. We have also used our assay to test the grooming ability of stocks containing mutations that produce known neural defects.

Current trends in conservative treatment of fractures of the proximal humerus.

Forty-nine fractures treated conservatively with 30 days of immobilization in a Desault bandage or a suspension cast (3 cases) are discussed. The diaphyseal index was used to check for correlation between the degree of osteoporosis and the extent and type of fracture. After an average follow-up of 6.7 months, 67% of the 36 patients reviewed had a satisfactory clinical and radiographic result and adequate healing, even those with a high degree of osteoporosis. There was no significant correlation between the type of fracture (location and degree of displacement) and the severity of bone resorption. We would emphasize that 33% of the unsatisfactory results were mostly due to the radiographic findings which, scored using the Neer system, were rated unsatisfactory even though the corresponding results were satisfactory as far as the clinical symptoms and signs. In our opinion, proximal humeral fractures in elderly patients should be treated conservatively, especially in cases of slight or moderate displacement.