Figure 8 From: Increased synaptic microtubules and altered synapse development in Drosophila sec8 mutants Glutamate receptor clustering is inhibited by overexpression of tubulin. Overexpression of alpha tubulin in muscles triggers an increase in microtubules (see text). A: Confocal images showing intersegmental nerve branch b (ISNb) innervating ventral longitudinal muscles in first instar larvae (24–28 h AEL). Neuronal tissue was visualized using anti-HRP antibody (magenta). Glutamate receptors were visualized using an antibody against the receptor subunit GluRIIA (green). In UAS-alpha tubulin/24B gal4 animals, sec8 cDNA is overexpressed in postsynaptic muscle cells. Overexpression of tubulin causes a reduction in glutamate receptor cluster size and number (quantified in B and C). B: Quantification of receptor cluster size, showing a reduction in cluster size after postsynaptic overexpression of tubulin (UAS-alpha tubulin/24B gal4). C: Quantification of cluster number, showing a reduction in cluster number after postsynaptic overexpression of tubulin (UAS-alpha tubulin/24B gal4).Back to article page