AUTHOR=Lin Wei-Yong , Liu Chuan-Hsiu , Cheng Jack , Liu Hsin-Ping 

TITLE=Alterations of RNA-binding protein found in neurons in Drosophila neurons and glia influence synaptic transmission and lifespan

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience

VOLUME=15

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/molecular-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnmol.2022.1006455

DOI=10.3389/fnmol.2022.1006455

ISSN=1662-5099

ABSTRACT=<p>The <italic>found in neurons</italic> (<italic>fne</italic>), a paralog of the RNA-binding protein <italic>ELAV</italic> gene family in <italic>Drosophila</italic>, is required for post-transcriptional regulation of neuronal development and differentiation. Previous explorations into the functions of the FNE protein have been limited to neurons. The function of <italic>fne</italic> in <italic>Drosophila</italic> glia remains unclear. We induced the knockdown or overexpression of <italic>fne</italic> in <italic>Drosophila</italic> neurons and glia to determine how <italic>fne</italic> affects different types of behaviors, neuronal transmission and the lifespan. Our data indicate that changes in <italic>fne</italic> expression impair associative learning, thermal nociception, and phototransduction. Examination of synaptic transmission at presynaptic and postsynaptic terminals of the larval neuromuscular junction (NMJ) revealed that loss of <italic>fne</italic> in motor neurons and glia significantly decreased excitatory junction currents (EJCs) and quantal content, while flies with glial <italic>fne</italic> knockdown facilitated short-term synaptic plasticity. In muscle cells, overexpression of <italic>fne</italic> reduced both EJC and quantal content and increased short-term synaptic facilitation. In both genders, the lifespan could be extended by the knockdown of <italic>fne</italic> in neurons and glia; the overexpression of <italic>fne</italic> shortened the lifespan. Our results demonstrate that disturbances of <italic>fne</italic> in neurons and glia influence the function of the <italic>Drosophila</italic> nervous system. Further explorations into the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying neuronal and glial <italic>fne</italic> and elucidation of how <italic>fne</italic> affects neuronal activity may clarify certain brain functions.</p>