NBAD-hydrolase processing in brain and epidermis of Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract

Drosophila melanogaster genes ebony and tan are responsible for the synthesis and hydrolysis of N-â-alanylderivatives of biogenic amines, such as N-â-alanyldopamine (NBAD) and N-â- alanylhistamine (carcinine). These are pleiotropic genes expressed in epidermis and nervous tissue. Neurotransmitter levels are altered in ebony and tan; both mutants have reduced levels of histamine. However, ebony shows an increased level of dopamine, whereas tan shows reduced levels of this catecholamine. Biogenic amines are important in reproduction. Mutants that have low levels of neurotransmitters show impaired reproduction or conditional viability. In the present report we analyzed the fertility and viability of e1 and t1 in order to elucidate if the altered levels of neurotransmitters have a consequence in the reproduction of these mutants.genes ebony and tan are responsible for the synthesis and hydrolysis of N-â-alanylderivatives of biogenic amines, such as N-â-alanyldopamine (NBAD) and N-â- alanylhistamine (carcinine). These are pleiotropic genes expressed in epidermis and nervous tissue. Neurotransmitter levels are altered in ebony and tan; both mutants have reduced levels of histamine. However, ebony shows an increased level of dopamine, whereas tan shows reduced levels of this catecholamine. Biogenic amines are important in reproduction. Mutants that have low levels of neurotransmitters show impaired reproduction or conditional viability. In the present report we analyzed the fertility and viability of e1 and t1 in order to elucidate if the altered levels of neurotransmitters have a consequence in the reproduction of these mutants.