Figure 1.

Spatially and temporally restricted suppression of neurotransmission using the UAS-shi^ts1 transgene. A GAL4 driver specific to neuronal subsets is crossed to the UAS-shi^ts1 line. Progeny ectopically expressing shi^ts1 in GAL4-positive neurons are raised at permissive temperature. When the temperature is shifted from permissive to restrictive, the shi^ts1 product (temperature-sensitive dynamin) is rapidly inactivated and synaptic vesicle recycling is interrupted. As a result, the GAL4-positive neurons are depleted of synaptic vesicles and synaptic transmission is blocked. Behavioral consequences of spatial and temporal suppression of neurotransmission can be observed in free-moving animals. The shi^ts1 product regains its activity and synaptic vesicles are restored immediately after the animals are returned to permissive temperature.