The shibire gene in fruit flies is the Drosophila version of the dynamin gene. A

Question

The shibire gene in fruit flies is the Drosophila version of the dynamin gene. A temperature sensitive mutation was discovered in this gene in flies, and the most obvious phenotype that was observed upon bringing flies up to the restrictive temperature (temperature in which the mutant shibire protein cannot function) was complete paralysis. This was because the nonfunctional shibire protein in these mutants caused a complete disruption of all synaptic transmission in neurons which, you know, requires the balanced cycling of synaptic vesicles through exo and endocytosis.

Why do you think the mutation in this particular gene would disrupt synaptic transmission?

Explanation / Answer

answer :

Shibire is a temperature sensitive phenotype in drosophila that results in paralysis at non-permissive temperature that is reversed on lowering to the permissive temperature. The phenotype is the result of inability of endocytic vesicles to be separated from parent membrane and thus there is depletion of vesicles especially in synaptic terminals.

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