Drosophila ßHeavy-Spectrin is required in polarized ensheathing glia that form a diffusion-barrier around the neuropil

Abstract

In the invertebrate CNS, synapses and dendrites are clustered in distinct neuropil areas that are separated from neuronal cell bodies by ensheathing glia (EG). Here, the authors show that Drosophila EG are polarized cells that form an internal diffusion barrier. EG cell polarity requires βHeavy-Spectrin and is needed for normal locomotor behaviour.