Constitutively active presynaptic release factor Unc13A prevents homeostatic sleep rebound in Drosophila.

Constitutively active Unc13A prevents sleep rebound in Drosophila by disrupting SNARE complex balance, eliminating recovery sleep after deprivation.

• Why it matters: Understanding the molecular basis of sleep rebound is crucial because it differs from baseline sleep regulation and is essential for recovery from sleep loss, yet remains poorly understood.
• What they did: Researchers used genetic modifications, including a constitutively active Unc13A variant and a modifier screen, to investigate sleep rebound mechanisms, focusing on SNARE complex dynamics.
• The result: Active Unc13A suppresses sleep rebound by likely increasing presynaptic release probability, with SNARE recycling playing a key role, revealing a fundamental link between synaptic transmission and sleep homeostasis.