The secreted neurotrophin spätzle 3 promotes glial morphogenesis and supports neuronal survival and function

Jaeda C. Coutinho-Budd, Amy E. Sheehan, Marc R. Freeman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

49 Scopus citations

Abstract

Most glial functions depend on establishing intimate morphological relationships with neurons. Significant progress has been made in understanding neuron-glia signaling at synaptic and axonal contacts, but how glia support neuronal cell bodies is unclear. Here we explored the growth and functions of Drosophila cortex glia (which associate almost exclusively with neuronal cell bodies) to understand glia-soma interactions. We show that cortex glia tile with one another and with astrocytes to establish unique central nervous system (CNS) spatial domains that actively restrict glial growth, and selective ablation of cortex glia causes animal lethality. In an RNAi-based screen, we identified αSNAP (soluble NSF [N-ethylmalemeide-sensitive factor] attachment protein α) and several components of vesicle fusion and recycling machinery as essential for the maintenance of cortex glial morphology and continued contact with neurons. Interestingly, loss of the secreted neurotrophin Spätzle 3 (Spz3) phenocopied αSNAP phenotypes, which included loss of glial ensheathment of neuron cell bodies, increased neuronal cell death, and defects in animal behavior. Rescue experiments suggest that Spz3 can exert these effects only over very short distances. This work identifies essential roles for glial ensheathment of neuronal cell bodies in CNS homeostasis as well as Spz3 as a novel signaling factor required for maintenance of cortex glial morphology and neuron-glia contact.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2023-2038
Number of pages16
JournalGenes and Development
Volume31
Issue number20
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 15 2017

Keywords

  • Cortex glia
  • Drosophila
  • Glia
  • Neurotrophin
  • Spz3
  • αSNAP

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Genetics
  • Developmental Biology

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