Dmca1A calcium channels regulate spontaneous calcium transients and spontaneous neurotransmitter release in Drosophila brain neurons

Calcium oscillations in the mushroom body of intact Drosophila brains are related to memory consolidation. Calcium imaging and electrophysiology are used to explore cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying calcium oscillations. Cell autonomous low-frequency spontaneous calcium transients are found in cultured mushroom body Kenyon cells and non-mushroom body neurons. PLTX-sensitive calcium channels underlie spontaneous calcium transients in the cultured neurons. A genetic approach demonstrates that the Dmca1A gene encodes PLTX-sensitive calcium channels that contribute to the spontaneous calcium transients and are also involved in spontaneous neurotransmitter release, in Drosophila brain neurons.