FB2026_01 , released March 12, 2026
FB2026_01 , released March 12, 2026
Allele: Dmel\Nrgl4
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General Information
Symbol
Dmel\Nrgl4
Species
D. melanogaster
Name
FlyBase ID
FBal0013169
Feature type
allele
Associated gene
Associated Insertion(s)
Carried in Construct
Also Known As
Nrg14, Nrg1, l(1)RA35
Key Links
Mutagen
Nature of the Allele
Progenitor genotype
Caused by aberration
Cytology
Description

Inversion breakpoint within the Nrg transcription unit.

Mutations Mapped to the Genome
Curation Data
Type
Location
Additional Notes
References
Variant Molecular Consequences
Associated Sequence Data
DNA sequence
Protein sequence
 
Expression Data
Reporter Expression
Additional Information
Statement
Reference
 
Marker for
Reflects expression of
Reporter construct used in assay
Human Disease Associations
Disease Ontology (DO) Annotations
Models Based on Experimental Evidence ( 0 )
Disease
Evidence
References
Modifiers Based on Experimental Evidence ( 0 )
Disease
Interaction
References
Comments on Models/Modifiers Based on Experimental Evidence ( 0 )
 
Disease-implicated variant(s)
 
Phenotypic Data
Phenotypic Class
Phenotype Manifest In

axon & nerve

cell cortex & cortical cytoskeleton

dorsal multidendritic neuron ddaD & axon

dorsal multidendritic neuron ddaD & dendritic tree

dorsal multidendritic neuron ddaE & axon

dorsal multidendritic neuron ddaE & axon | somatic clone

embryonic epidermis & pleated septate junction

embryonic salivary gland & epithelial cell

lateral cord surface glia & nucleus

scolopidium & abdominal lateral pentascolopidial chordotonal organ lch5

septate junction & peripheral glial cell

Detailed Description
Statement
Reference

Nrgl4/Nrgl4 embryos display a synaptic defect similar to that seen in mir-8Δ/mir-8Δ (ISNb motor axons innervation defect at m6/7), though with reduced penetrance.

Synaptic retractions are seen in Nrgl4 mutant third instar larval motorneuron clones at low frequency. Approximately 50% of axons end in "bulb-like" structures within nerve bundles and are not connected to a postsynaptic muscle. Large axonal swellings are also seen in the same axon proximal toward the cell body of the motoneuron. Similar rates of innervation are seen for all four major classes of motorneurons (SNc/d, SNb, SNa and ISN) as controls.

Flies expressing Nrg+t25 in a Nrgl4 mutant background establish a normal function of the adult Giant Fibre (GF)-Trochanteral Muscle (TTMn) circuit. There are no significant differences in average response latencies or following frequencies after a train of stimulations at 100 Hz when compared to wild type. No obvious morphological defects are seen at GF terminals.

Expression of Nrg167ΔFIGQY in a Nrgl4 mutant background does not result in a significant increase in synaptic retraction in third instar larvae compared to controls. NMJ length is similar to controls, as are bouton number and area.

Flies expressing Nrg167ΔFIGQY in a Nrgl4 mutant background establish a normal function of the adult Giant Fibre (GF)-Trochanteral Muscle (TTMn) circuit. There are no significant differences in average response latencies or following frequencies after a train of stimulations at 100 Hz when compared to wild type. No obvious morphological defects are seen at GF terminals.

Expression of Nrg180ΔFIGQY in a Nrgl4 mutant background does not result in a significant increase in synaptic retraction in third instar larvae compared to controls. NMJ length and bouton number are increased compared to controls. The bouton area is significantly reduced compared to controls.

Flies expressing Nrg180ΔFIGQY in a Nrgl4 mutant background are unable to establish a normal function of the Giant Fibre (GF)-Trochanteral Muscle (TTMn) circuit; there are significant increases in average response latencies and a decrease in following frequencies after a train of stimulations at 100Hz when compared to wild type. Morphological defects are seen at GF terminals. The GFs are present at the synaptic target area, however large areas of the synaptic terminals are either thinner or swollen and often contain large vacuole-like structures. Synaptic gap junctions are still present in animals that do not show any functional response.

Expression of Nrg180YF in a Nrgl4 mutant background does not result in a significant increase in synaptic retraction in third instar larvae compared to controls. NMJ length and bouton number are slightly increased compared to controls. The bouton area is not significantly different from controls.

Flies expressing Nrg180YF in a Nrgl4 mutant background are unable to establish a normal function of the Giant Fibre (GF)-Trochanteral Muscle (TTMn) circuit; there are significant increases in average response latencies and a decrease in following frequencies after a train of stimulations at 100 Hz when compared to wild type. Morphological defects are seen at GF terminals. The GFs are present at the synaptic target area, however large areas of the synaptic terminals are either thinner or swollen and often contain large vacuole-like structures. Synaptic gap junctions are still present in animals that do not show any functional response.

Expression of Nrg180YD in a Nrgl4 mutant background results in a significant increase in synaptic retraction in third instar larvae compared to controls. NMJ length and bouton number are increased compared to controls. The bouton area is not significantly different from controls.

Flies expressing Nrg180YD in a Nrgl4 mutant background are unable to establish a normal function of the Giant Fibre (GF)-Trochanteral Muscle (TTMn) circuit; there are significant increases in average response latencies and a decrease in following frequencies after a train of stimulations at 100 Hz when compared to wild type. Morphological defects are seen at GF terminals. The GFs are present at the synaptic target area, however large areas of the synaptic terminals are either thinner or swollen and often contain large vacuole-like structures. Synaptic gap junctions are still present in animals that do not show any functional response.

Expression of Nrg180YA in a Nrgl4 mutant background results in a significant increase in synaptic retraction in third instar larvae compared to controls. NMJ length and bouton number are increased compared to controls. The bouton area is not significantly different from controls.

Flies expressing Nrg180YA in a Nrgl4 mutant background are unable to establish a normal function of the Giant Fibre (GF)-Trochanteral Muscle (TTMn) circuit; there are significant increases in average response latencies and a decrease in following frequencies after a train of stimulations at 100 Hz when compared to wild type. Morphological defects are seen at GF terminals. The GFs are present at the synaptic target area, however large areas of the synaptic terminals are either thinner or swollen and often contain large vacuole-like structures. Synaptic gap junctions are still present in animals that do not show any functional response.

Expression of Nrg180ΔC in a Nrgl4 mutant background results in a significant increase in synaptic retraction in third instar larvae compared to controls. NMJ length is increased compared to controls. NMJ length and bouton number are increased compared to controls. The bouton area is significantly reduced compared to controls.

Expression of Nrg180ΔPDZ in a Nrgl4 mutant background does not result in a significant increase in synaptic retraction in third instar larvae compared to controls. NMJ length is similar to controls, as are bouton number and area.

Flies expressing Nrg180ΔPDZ in a Nrgl4 mutant background establish a normal function of the adult Giant Fibre (GF)-Trochanteral Muscle (TTMn) circuit. There are no significant differences in average response latencies or following frequencies after a train of stimulations at 100 Hz when compared to wild type. No obvious morphological defects are seen at GF terminals.

Flies expressing Nrg180ΔC in a Nrgl4 mutant background are unable to establish a normal function of the Giant Fibre (GF)-Trochanteral Muscle (TTMn) circuit; there are significant increases in average response latencies and a decrease in following frequencies after a train of stimulations at 100 Hz when compared to wild type. Morphological defects are seen at GF terminals. The GFs are present at the synaptic target area, however large areas of the synaptic terminals are either thinner or swollen and often contain large vacuole-like structures. Synaptic gap junctions are still present in animals that do not show any functional response.

The synaptic Giant Fibre (GF) to Trochanteral Muscle (TTMn) connection is severely weakened in flies expressing Nrg180ΔFIGQY in a Nrgl4 mutant background. The GF synapse is unable to follow multiple stimuli given at 100 Hz in a 1:1 ratio and Response Latency is increased. Synaptic terminals are morphologically defective and reduced in size.

Dextran dye can penetrate in the nerve cord after it has been injected into 22 hour mutant embryos, indicating a defect in the integrity of the nerve cord paracellular barrier.

In Nrgl4 homozygotes lateral pentascolopidial chordotonal organs have a disorganised morphology and rounded, rather than fusiform scolopales. Unlike in wild-type embryos, lateral pentascolopidial chordotonal organs in these embryos fail to exclude a 10kDa dextran dye. Ultrastructural analyses of peripheral nerves in these mutants at late stages of embryogenesis show that, while glial membranes are present around these nerves, the associated septate junctions linking inner and outer glial sheath cells are missing. and the inner and outer glial membranes are abnormally far apart. In addition, axons are often missing from bundles and replaced by protrusions from the inner glial cells.

29% of dorsal da neuron E (ddaE) and 38% of ddaD neurons show ectopic branches on their axons in Nrgl4 embryos. The dendritic branches of ddaD cover a smaller field and have fewer terminals than wild-type ddaD neurons.

Nrgl4 ddaE clones form ectopic branches on their axons.

Nrgl10/Nrgl4 females are viable at 18[o]C but are inviable at 25[o]C.

Nrgl4/Nrg849 and Nrgl4/Nrg892 females show reduced sexual receptivity compared to wild-type controls when mated to wild-type males.

Fluorescent dye injected into the body cavity of Nrgl4 embryos penetrates into the nerve cord after the stage at which the nerve cord is sealed in wild-type embryos, showing that formation of the blood-brain barrier if defective. The surface glial cell shape and cortical actin distribution is only mildly disrupted.

In the epidermis of about 80% of stage 15 Nrgl4 mutant embryos, occasional clusters of septa are formed, often basal in their position.

Nrgl4 mutants exhibit disruption of the paracellular barrier in the embryonic salivary gland. In Nrgl4 homozygous mutants the adherens junction remains intact, with the regular spacing of plasma membranes maintained. However, the septae normally located between these membranes are reduced in number or absent. Nrgl4/Nrgl4 somatic clones generated in larvae (approx. 72 hours after egg laying) do not survive in adult tissues.

Fas2 expressing axons appear normal in homozygous embryos.

Homozygous embryos show a general disorganisation of the peripheral nervous system cell bodies. The aCC and SNb motoneurons often show a stalled phenotype, failing to extend normally, and SNb motoneurons sometimes show abnormal contacts with their targets.

External Data
Interactions
Show genetic interaction network for Enhancers & Suppressors
Phenotypic Class
Enhanced by
Statement
Reference
Suppressed by
Statement
Reference
NOT suppressed by
Enhancer of
Statement
Reference
NOT Suppressor of
Statement
Reference
Phenotype Manifest In
Enhanced by
Suppressed by
Statement
Reference
NOT suppressed by
Enhancer of
Statement
Reference

Nrgl4 is an enhancer of symmetrical commissure phenotype of Nrt5

Nrgl4 is an enhancer of dMP2 neuron phenotype of Nrt5

Nrgl4 is an enhancer of larval MP1 neuron phenotype of Nrt5

Nrgl4 is an enhancer of SP1 neuron phenotype of Nrt5

Nrgl4 is an enhancer of axon | embryonic stage phenotype of Nrt1

NOT Enhancer of
Statement
Reference
Suppressor of
Statement
Reference
NOT Suppressor of
Statement
Reference
Other
Statement
Reference
Additional Comments
Genetic Interactions
Statement
Reference

Fas3A142/Fas3A142 significantly enhances intersegmental nerve branch ISNb motor axon innervation defects (at m6/7) seen in Nrgl4/Nrgl4 embryos.

Nrgl4 dominantly enhances the shortening of dendritic length and the reduction in the number of dendritic endpoints of dorsal dendritic arborisation neurons which is seen in larvae expressing NakdsRNA.Scer\UAS under the control of Scer\GAL4elav-C155.

The glial cell migration defects of rapie28 embryos are not suppressed by Nrgl4.

The addition of Nrgl4/+ significantly suppresses the loss of cone cell phenotype seen in edScer\UAS.cBa, Scer\GAL4GMR.PF animals but has no effect on photoreceptor loss.

Nrgl4 Nrt5 double mutant embryos have a severe CNS phenotype, with thinning or complete interruption of the longitudinal connectives, and fusion of the commissures. Defects in Fas2 expressing neurons similar to those seen in Nrt5 single mutants are seen, although with much higher expressivity and penetrance. Axons of the dMP2 and MP1 neurons either stall or delay their extension considerably in 29% of cases. The ventral unpaired medial (VUM) neurons show misguidance phenotypes in 15% of cases, and anomalies in the trajectory of the SP1 axon are observed rarely. The pCC and vMP2 axons grow normally in most hemisegments, and the aCC and U neurons are normal. These defects are rescued by NrtScer\UAS.cSa expressed under the control of Scer\GAL4Mz1277. NrtrP668 Nrgl4 double mutant embryos have defects in Fas2 expressing axons. NrtR20F Nrgl4 embryos have essentially normal Fas2 expressing axons.

Xenogenetic Interactions
Statement
Reference

Expression of Hsap\L1CAMRSLE-.Scer\UAS under the control of Scer\GAL4OK307 suppresses the Giant Fibre (GF)-Trochanteral Muscle (TTM) synaptic defects seen in flies expressing Nrg180ΔFIGQY in a Nrgl4 mutant background; there is an increase in following frequencies after a train of stimulations at 100Hz and response latency is decreased. All flies observed show TTM responses upon GF stimulation. The morphology of the synaptic terminals is restored.

Expression of Hsap\L1CAMScer\UAS.1180 under the control of Scer\GAL4OK307 does not suppress the Giant Fibre (GF)-Trochanteral Muscle (TTM) synapse functional and morphological defects seen in flies expressing Nrg180ΔFIGQY in a Nrgl4 mutant background.

Expression of Hsap\L1CAMH1.Scer\UAS under the control of Scer\GAL4OK307 does not suppress the Giant Fibre (GF)-Trochanteral Muscle (TTM) synapse functional and morphological defects seen in flies expressing Nrg180ΔFIGQY in a Nrgl4 mutant background.

Expression of Hsap\L1CAMH210Q.Scer\UAS under the control of Scer\GAL4OK307 does not suppress the Giant Fibre (GF)-Trochanteral Muscle (TTM) synapse functional and morphological defects seen in flies expressing Nrg180ΔFIGQY in a Nrgl4 mutant background.

Expression of Hsap\L1CAMR184Q.Scer\UAS under the control of Scer\GAL4OK307 does not suppress the Giant Fibre (GF)-Trochanteral Muscle (TTM) synapse functional and morphological defects seen in flies expressing Nrg180ΔFIGQY in a Nrgl4 mutant background.

Expression of Hsap\L1CAML120V.Scer\UAS under the control of Scer\GAL4OK307 significantly suppresses the Giant Fibre (GF)-Trochanteral Muscle (TTM) synapse functional and morphological defects seen in flies expressing Nrg180ΔFIGQY in a Nrgl4 mutant background.

Expression of Hsap\L1CAMH38.Scer\UAS under the control of Scer\GAL4OK307 significantly suppresses the Giant Fibre (GF)-Trochanteral Muscle (TTM) synapse functional and morphological defects seen in flies expressing Nrg180ΔFIGQY in a Nrgl4 mutant background.

Expression of Hsap\L1CAMC264Y.Scer\UAS under the control of Scer\GAL4OK307 significantly suppresses the Giant Fibre (GF)-Trochanteral Muscle (TTM) synapse functional and morphological defects seen in flies expressing Nrg180ΔFIGQY in a Nrgl4 mutant background. Half of the tested GF to TTM connections are functionally normal, while the other half are functionally impaired.

Expression of Hsap\L1CAM4A.Scer\UAS under the control of Scer\GAL4OK307 significantly suppresses the Giant Fibre (GF)-Trochanteral Muscle (TTM) synapse functional and morphological defects seen in flies expressing Nrg180ΔFIGQY in a Nrgl4 mutant background.

Complementation and Rescue Data
Partially rescued by
Not rescued by
Comments

Expression of Nrg+t25 fully rescues Nrgl4 mutant embryonic lethality. The axonal and NMJ defects seen in Nrgl4 mutant larval motorneuron clones are also fully rescued and similar rates of innervation are seen for all four major classes of motorneurons (SNc/d, SNb, SNa and ISN) as controls.

Expression of Nrg167ΔFIGQY fully rescues Nrgl4 mutant embryonic lethality. The axonal and NMJ defects seen in Nrgl4 mutant larval motorneuron clones are also fully rescued and similar rates of innervation are seen for all four major classes of motorneurons (SNc/d, SNb, SNa and ISN) as controls.

Expression of Nrg180ΔFIGQY fully rescues Nrgl4 mutant embryonic lethality. The axonal and NMJ defects seen in Nrgl4 mutant larval motorneuron clones are only partially rescued and similar rates of innervation are seen for all four major classes of motorneurons (SNc/d, SNb, SNa and ISN) as controls.

Expression of NrgΔIg3-4 fails to rescue Nrgl4 mutant embryonic lethality. The axonal and NMJ defects seen in Nrgl4 mutant larval motorneuron clones are also not rescued and similar rates of innervation are seen for all four major classes of motorneurons (SNc/d, SNb, SNa and ISN) as controls.

Expression of NrgScer\UAS.180.cEa under the control of Scer\GAL4OK307 significantly rescues the electrophysiological and morphological defects seen at the adult Giant Fibre (GF)-Trochanteral Muscle (TTMn) synapse when Nrg180YF is expressed in a Nrgl4 mutant background. Rescue is also seen when NrgScer\UAS.180.cEa is expressed presynaptically (Scer\GAL4c17) or postsynaptically (Scer\GAL4shakB.lethal.4.1), and also when Scer\GAL4c42.2 is expressed presynaptically only after the connection between the GF and the TTMn has been established.

Expression of NrgScer\UAS.180.cEa under the control of Scer\GAL4OK307 significantly rescues the electrophysiological and morphological defects seen at the adult Giant Fibre (GF)-Trochanteral Muscle (TTMn) synapse when Nrg180YA is expressed in a Nrgl4 mutant background. Rescue is also seen when NrgScer\UAS.180.cEa is expressed presynaptically (Scer\GAL4c17) or postsynaptically (Scer\GAL4shakB.lethal.4.1), but not when Scer\GAL4c42.2 is expressed presynaptically only after the connection between the GF and the TTMn has been established.

Expression of NrgScer\UAS.180.cEa under the control of Scer\GAL4OK307 significantly rescues the electrophysiological and morphological defects seen at the adult Giant Fibre (GF)-Trochanteral Muscle (TTMn) synapse when Nrg180ΔFIGQY is expressed in a Nrgl4 mutant background. Rescue is also seen when NrgScer\UAS.180.cEa is expressed presynaptically (Scer\GAL4c17) or postsynaptically (Scer\GAL4shakB.lethal.4.1), but not when Scer\GAL4c42.2 is expressed presynaptically only after the connection between the GF and the TTMn has been established.

Nrgl4 fails to complement the reduced female receptivity phenotype of Nrgibx and of Nrg892.

Nrgl4 fails to complement the reduced female receptivity phenotype of Nrg892.

Images (0)
Mutant
Wild-type
Stocks (3)
Notes on Origin
Discoverer

Lefevre.

External Crossreferences and Linkouts ( 0 )
Synonyms and Secondary IDs (10)
References (39)