Yif1 associates with Yip1 on Golgi and regulates dendrite pruning in sensory neurons during Drosophila metamorphosis.

Pruning that selectively removes unnecessary neurites without causing neuronal death is essential for sculpting the mature nervous system during development. In Drosophila, ddaC sensory neurons specifically prune their larval dendrites with intact axons during metamorphosis. However, the important role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-to-Golgi transport in dendrite pruning remains unknown. Here, in a clonal screen, we have identified Yif1, an uncharacterized Drosophila homolog of Yif1p that is known to be a regulator of ER-to-Golgi transport in yeast. We show that Yif1 is required for dendrite pruning of ddaC neurons but not for apoptosis of ddaF neurons. We further identify that the Yif1-binding partner Yip1 is also crucial for dendrite pruning. Yif1 forms a protein complex with Yip1 in S2 cells and ddaC neurons. Yip1 and Yif1 colocalize on ER/Golgi and are required for the integrity of Golgi apparatus and outposts. Moreover, we show that two GTPases, Rab1 and Sar1, which are known to regulate ER-to-Golgi transport, are essential for dendrite pruning of ddaC neurons. Finally, our data reveal that ER-to-Golgi transport promotes endocytosis and downregulation of the cell-adhesion molecule Neuroglian and thereby dendrite pruning.