Structure, function, and expression of Drosophila melanogaster FMRFamide-related peptides

In 1977, Price and Greenberg identified the tetrapeptide FMRFamide as a cardioexcitatory molecule from mollusc. Subsequent to this discovery, FMRFamide-related peptides (FaRPs) have been identified in both invertebrates and vertebrates. Peptides in the FaRP family contain a common RFamide C-terminus and act as modulators and messengers of neural and gastrointestinal functions. Like other organisms, Drosophila melanogaster contains several genes that encode for numerous FaRPs. Elucidating the processing and activities of multiple FaRPs encoded in a single precursor is critical to establishing their roles in physiology. In this manuscript, we describe the distribution of FMRFamide immunoreactive materials in the Drosophila central nervous system and gut, and correlate it with the expression of specific FaRPs and their activities. The unique distributions and biological activities of Drosophila FaRPs suggest that the precursors are highly processed and the structurally related peptides are not functionally redundant. The complete distribution of FaRPs in the central nervous system and gut as detected by FMRFamide antisera is not accounted for by the sum of the individual expression patterns of the known Drosophila peptides. Thus, these data suggest that one or more Drosophila FaRPs or structurally related peptides remain to be discovered.

Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II is associated with the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor

The molecular basis of long-term potentiation (LTP), a long-lasting change in synaptic transmission, is of fundamental interest because of its implication in learning. Usually LTP depends on Ca2+ influx through postsynaptic N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-type glutamate receptors and subsequent activation of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII). For a molecular understanding of LTP it is crucial to know how CaMKII is localized to its postsynaptic targets because protein kinases often are targeted to their substrates by adapter proteins. Here we show that CaMKII directly binds to the NMDA receptor subunits NR1 and NR2B. Moreover, activation of CaMKIIalpha by stimulation of NMDA receptors in forebrain slices increase this association. This interaction places CaMKII not only proximal to a major source of Ca2+ influx but also close to alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA)-type glutamate receptors, which become phosphorylated upon stimulation of NMDA receptors in these forebrain slices. Identification of the postsynaptic adapter for CaMKII fills a critical gap in the understanding of LTP because CaMKII-mediated phosphorylation of AMPA receptors is an important step during LTP.

Spatial and temporal immunocytochemical analysis of drosulfakinin (Dsk) gene products in the Drosophila melanogaster central nervous system

The spatial and temporal distribution of three peptides, DSK I, DSK II, and DSK 0, encoded by the Drosophila melanogaster drosulfakinin (Dsk) gene, have been examined in the central nervous system. DSK I and DSK II have a -RFamide C-terminus and are structurally similar to sulfakinin peptides; in contrast, DSK 0 contains -SFamide and is not structurally similar to sulfakinins. Antisera specificities were determined by the design of the antigens and confirmed by dot blot analysis and preincubation with peptides prior to their use in immunocytochemistry. The distribution of immunoreactivity suggests that all three DSK peptides are processed from the polypeptide precursor and expressed in many of the same cells. Expression was observed at all developmental stages with an increase in the level of staining and the number of immunoreactive cells as development progresses. Cells in the brain lobe, optic lobe, subesophageal ganglion, thoracic ganglia, and the eighth abdominal neuromere contain DSK-immunoreactive materials. Immunoreactive fibers project from some cells and extend into the brain and ventral ganglion with regions of extensive arborization. DSK 0 immunoreactivity provides initial evidence for the presence of a -SFamide peptide in neural tissue. The observed expression of DSK-immunoreactive materials throughout development in numerous cells of the central nervous system suggests that DSK peptides may serve as hormones, modulators, or transmitters involved in several functions.

Spatial and temporal analysis of the Drosophila FMRFamide neuropeptide gene product SDNFMRFamide: evidence for a restricted expression pattern

The expression of SDNFMRFamide, one of five different FMRFamide-containing peptides encoded by the Drosophila melanogaster FMRFamide gene, has been determined. To study expression, we generated antisera to the N-terminus of SDNFMRFamide to avoid crossreactivity with FMRFamide-containing peptides. The antisera were purified and the specificity characterized. SDNFMRFamide immunoreactive material is present in the central nervous system throughout development. Immunoreactivity is first observed in embryonic neural tissue in a cluster of cells in the subesophageal ganglion and immunoreactive fibers projecting from these cells to the brain and ventral ganglion. This pattern of expression is also observed in neural tissue dissected from larva, pupa, and adult. Double-labelling experiments indicate that cells recognized by SDNFM-antisera are also stained with FMRFamide antisera. Based on position, SDNFMRFamide immunoreactive material is expressed in a limited number of cells that contain the FMRFamide polypeptide precursor. This finding suggests that the Drosophila FMRFamide precursor undergoes differential post-translational processing.