Downloads and Tools

•  Article PDF
  2.1 MB PDF document

Supplemental Material

•  Supplemental File
  200.13 KB PDF document

This is an open access article.
Print this page Email this page

Recipient's Email:

---

Article Citation

RIS
MARC (XML)
FULL CITATION

---

Share on Facebook

Authors: Graham Garber, Lee Ann Smith, Robert A. Reenan and Blanka Rogina

Graham Garber

Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology; School of Medicine; University of Connecticut Health Center; Farmington, CT USA

Lee Ann Smith

Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology; School of Medicine; University of Connecticut Health Center; Farmington, CT USA
Current affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences; Benedictine University; Lisle, IL USA

Robert A. Reenan

Department of Molecular Biology; Cell Biology and Biochemistry; Brown University; Providence, RI USA

Blanka Rogina

Corresponding author: Rogina@neuron.uchc.edu
Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology; School of Medicine; University of Connecticut Health Center; Farmington, CT USA

Abstract:
The voltage-gated Na⁺ channels (VGSC) are complex membrane proteins responsible for generation and propagation of the electrical signals through the brain, the skeletal muscle and the heart. The levels of sodium channels affect behavior and physical activity. This is illustrated by the maleless mutant allele (mle^napts) in Drosophila, where the decreased levels of voltage-gated Na⁺ channels cause temperature-sensitive paralysis.

Here, we report that mle^napts mutant flies exhibit developmental lethality, decreased fecundity and increased neurodegeneration. The negative effect of decreased levels of Na⁺ channels on development and ts-paralysis was more pronounced at 18 and 29°C than at 25°C, suggesting particular sensitivity of the mle^napts flies to temperatures above and below normal environmental conditions. Similarly, longevity of mle^napts flies was unexpectedly short at 18 and 29°C compared with flies heterozygous for the mle^napts mutation. Developmental lethality and neurodegeneration of mle^napts flies was partially rescued by increasing the dosage of para, confirming a vital role of Na⁺ channels in development, longevity and neurodegeneration of flies and their adaptation to temperatures.

Received: September 14, 2011; Accepted: October 30, 2011

Preview: