In neurons, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is not only found in the cell body, but also extends into dendrites and axonal presynaptic terminals. Axonal ER comprises a tubular network of mainly smooth ER, whose function is still poorly understood. In humans, mutations of several axonal ER-shaping proteins result in hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), a motor axon degeneration disease. Using Drosophila as model system, we try to understand the functional consequences of disrupting the axonal ER presence or continuity.
Microscopy image showing the posterior part of the axon and the muscle innervation (presynaptic terminals) by a single motor neuron. Source: Perez-Moreno and O’Kane. G3, 9(2):453 (2019) (https://www.g3journal.org/content/9/2/453). Funded by Marie-Sklodowska-Curie award 745007 from the European Commission Horizon 2020 program to Dr JJ Perez Moreno.
