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Drosophila larval neuromuscular junction: Molecular components and mechanisms underlying synaptic plasticity
Author(s) -
Koh Young Ho,
Gramates L. Sian,
Budnik Vivian
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
microscopy research and technique
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.536
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1097-0029
pISSN - 1059-910X
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0029(20000401)49:1<14::aid-jemt3>3.0.co;2-g
Subject(s) - aplysia , neuroscience , biology , neuromuscular junction , synaptic plasticity , plasticity , drosophila (subgenus) , synapse , nonsynaptic plasticity , function (biology) , microbiology and biotechnology , metaplasticity , gene , genetics , receptor , physics , thermodynamics
Understanding the mechanisms that mediate synaptic plasticity is a primary goal of molecular neuroscience. The Drosophila larval neuromuscular junction provides a particularly useful model for investigating the roles of synaptic components in both structural and functional plasticity. The powerful molecular genetics of this system makes it possible to uncover new synaptic components and signaling molecules, as well as their function in the intact organism. Together with the mouse hippocampus and Aplysia dissociated cell culture, the Drosophila larval neuromuscular junction has been among the most valuable model systems for examining the molecular and cellular basis of neuronal plasticity. Microsc. Res. Tech. 49:14–25, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.