Transmembrane channel-like (tmc) gene regulates Drosophila larval locomotion.

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Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2016 Jul;113(26):7243-8. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1606537113

Transmembrane channel-like (tmc) gene regulates Drosophila larval locomotion. Li Lab

Guo Y, Wang Y, Zhang W, Meltzer S, Zanini D, Yu Y, Li J, Cheng T, Guo Z, Wang Q, Jacobs JS, Sharma Y, Eberl DF, Göpfert MC, Jan LY, Jan YN, Wang Z

Note: Research in this publication was not performed at Janelia.

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Abstract

Drosophila larval locomotion, which entails rhythmic body contractions, is controlled by sensory feedback from proprioceptors. The molecular mechanisms mediating this feedback are little understood. By using genetic knock-in and immunostaining, we found that the Drosophila melanogaster transmembrane channel-like (tmc) gene is expressed in the larval class I and class II dendritic arborization (da) neurons and bipolar dendrite (bd) neurons, both of which are known to provide sensory feedback for larval locomotion. Larvae with knockdown or loss of tmc function displayed reduced crawling speeds, increased head cast frequencies, and enhanced backward locomotion. Expressing Drosophila TMC or mammalian TMC1 and/or TMC2 in the tmc-positive neurons rescued these mutant phenotypes. Bending of the larval body activated the tmc-positive neurons, and in tmc mutants this bending response was impaired. This implicates TMC's roles in Drosophila proprioception and the sensory control of larval locomotion. It also provides evidence for a functional conservation between Drosophila and mammalian TMCs.

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Transmembrane channel-like (tmc) gene regulates Drosophila larval locomotion.

Note: Research in this publication was not performed at Janelia.

Abstract

PMID: 27298354 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Janelia Authors