上海科技大学知识管理系统

生物机体的神经系统由神经元和神经胶质细胞(简称胶质细胞,glia)两部分组成。目前,对神经元的研究已经非常广泛,但是有关胶质细胞的功能研究仍然所知甚少。由于胶质细胞不具兴奋性,无法像神经元一样传递动作电位,传统观点认为胶质细胞主要起到支撑神经元并维持其正常功能的作用。近年来,越来越多的研究结果表明,胶质细胞参与调控生物机体的各种生理行为。其中,通过黑腹果蝇(Drosophila melanogaster)研究了胶质细胞的重要性,证实胶质细胞参与调控果蝇的神经发育、营养代谢、睡眠、寿命、细胞凋亡、求偶、嗅觉和学习记忆等生理活动。本文详细总结了胶质细胞调控果蝇不同生理活动的相关研究进展,并对其功能进行了探究和展望。

The animal central nervous system is composed of neurons and neuroglia (glia). Extensive research on neurons have shown that they are the major cells to transduce signals in mediating neural development and function, and the glial cells mainly play a role in supporting neurons and maintaining their normal function. Nonetheless, emerging evidence has indicated that glial cells exhibit active roles in virtually all aspects of neuronal function and development. Research using the model organism Drosophila melanogaster reveals that glial cells are key players in the regulation of neural development, nutritional metabolism, sleep, longevity, apoptosis, courtship, smell, learning and memory and other physiological behaviors. In this review, we summarize the research progress of glial cells in regulating different physiological activities in Drosophila, in hope of providing insights on the mechanisms and new prospects on future glial research.