Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
4323350 Neuron 2006 14 Pages PDF
Abstract

SummaryAn essential step in Drosophila phototransduction is the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5 bisphosphate PI(4,5)P2 by phospholipase Cβ (PLCβ) to generate a second messenger that opens the light-activated channels TRP and TRPL. Although the identity of this messenger remains unknown, recent evidence has implicated diacylglycerol kinase (DGK), encoded by rdgA, as a key enzyme that regulates its levels, mediating both amplification and response termination. In this study, we demonstrate that lazaro (laza) encodes a lipid phosphate phosphohydrolase (LPP) that functions during phototransduction. We demonstrate that the synergistic activity of laza and rdgA regulates response termination during phototransduction. Analysis of retinal phospholipids revealed a reduction in phosphatidic acid (PA) levels and an associated reduction in phosphatidylinositol (PI) levels. Together our results demonstrate the contribution of PI depletion to the rdgA phenotype and provide evidence that depletion of PI and its metabolites might be a key signal for TRP channel activation in vivo.

Related Topics
Life Sciences Neuroscience Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
Authors
, , , , , , , , ,