Neuron
Volume 69, Issue 6, 24 March 2011, Pages 1114-1131
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Article
Hts/Adducin Controls Synaptic Elaboration and Elimination

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Summary

Neural development requires both synapse elaboration and elimination, yet relatively little is known about how these opposing activities are coordinated. Here, we provide evidence Hts/Adducin can serve this function. We show that Drosophila Hts/Adducin is enriched both pre- and postsynaptically at the NMJ. We then demonstrate that presynaptic Hts/Adducin is necessary and sufficient to control two opposing processes associated with synapse remodeling: (1) synapse stabilization as determined by light level and ultrastructural and electrophysiological assays and (2) the elaboration of actin-based, filopodia-like protrusions that drive synaptogenesis and growth. Synapse remodeling is sensitive to Hts/Adducin levels, and we provide evidence that the synaptic localization of Hts/Adducin is controlled via phosphorylation. Mechanistically, Drosophila Hts/Adducin protein has actin-capping activity. We propose that phosphorylation-dependent regulation of Hts/Adducin controls the level, localization, and activity of Hts/Adducin, influencing actin-based synapse elaboration and spectrin-based synapse stabilization. Hts/Adducin may define a mechanism to switch between synapse stability and dynamics.

Highlights

Drosophila Hts/Adducin is a presynaptic actin-capping protein ► Presynaptic Hts/Adducin is sufficient and necessary for synapse stability ► Loss of Hts/Adducin induces synapse formation via actin-rich protrusions ► Hts/Adducin controls the processes of synapse formation and stability

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Present address: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Janelia Farm Research Campus, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA