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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Investigating The Age-Dependent Impact Of Lactate Dehydrogenase On Cognition In Flies And Mice, Ariel Khaya Frame
Investigating The Age-Dependent Impact Of Lactate Dehydrogenase On Cognition In Flies And Mice, Ariel Khaya Frame
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Lactate is a carbohydrate breakdown product typically produced in astrocytes, a type of glial cell, and transported to neurons within the brain. This type of metabolic coupling is commonly referred to as the astrocyte neuron lactate shuttle (ANLS). While numerous studies have shown that the ANLS is involved in cognition in mammals few have taken into consideration sex differences, changes with age, or evolutionary conservation in invertebrates. Lactate metabolism is controlled by the enzymatic interconversion of pyruvate and lactate in a reaction catalyzed by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). In this thesis I examined cognitive changes across lifespan affected by genetic manipulation …
Mushroom Body-Specific Gene Regulation By The Swi/Snf Chromatin Remodeling Complex, Kevin Cj Nixon
Mushroom Body-Specific Gene Regulation By The Swi/Snf Chromatin Remodeling Complex, Kevin Cj Nixon
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Over the lifetime of an organism, neurons must establish, remodel, and maintain precise connections in order to form neural circuits that are required for proper nervous system functioning. Disruptions in these processes can lead to neurodevelopmental disorders such as intellectual disability (ID) and autism spectrum disorder. Mutations in genes encoding subunits of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex have been implicated in ID, yet the role of this complex in neurons is poorly understood. In this project, I established cell-type specific methods to examine the effect of SWI/SNF subunit knockdowns on gene transcription and chromatin structure in the memory-forming neurons of …
Characterizing Mekk1: Candidate Behavioural Isolation Gene, Caryn Dooner
Characterizing Mekk1: Candidate Behavioural Isolation Gene, Caryn Dooner
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Behavioural isolation can occur due to divergence in aspects of courtship and mating, and can contribute to reproductive isolation. The purpose of this study is to determine how a gene, Mekk1, contributes to female rejection behaviour between D. melanogaster and D. simulans. Unique polymorphisms were identified within D. simulans Mekk1 that could contribute to behaviour, most of which are non-coding. Both transcripts of Mekk1 appear to be expressed at similar levels in D. simulans and D. melanogaster. These data also indicate that Mekk1 may be expressed in a specific region of the brain called the mushroom body, …
The Genetic And Environmental Basis For Chc Biosynthesis In Drosophila, Heather Ke Ward
The Genetic And Environmental Basis For Chc Biosynthesis In Drosophila, Heather Ke Ward
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) are produced by insects and primarily used to prevent desiccation. In Drosophila, certain compounds have secondary roles as infochemicals that may act during courtship to influence mate choice. Certain CHCs may stimulate courtship with heterospecifics or act to repel conspecifics. The CHC profile produced by an individual is the result of the interaction between its genetic background and the environment, though the genes that underlie species differences in CHC production and how the environment can modulate the abundance of individual compounds within a species is not well known. Here, candidate gene CG5946 was found to be …
Cellular/Molecular Analysis Of Interspecies Sterile Male Hybrids In Drosophila, Rachelle L. Kanippayoor
Cellular/Molecular Analysis Of Interspecies Sterile Male Hybrids In Drosophila, Rachelle L. Kanippayoor
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Over time, genetic differences can accumulate between populations that are geographically separated. This genetic divergence can lead to the evolution of reproductive isolating mechanisms that reduce gene flow between the populations and, upon secondary contact, result in distinct species. The process of speciation is, thus, what accounts for the multitude of species that contribute to the rich biodiversity on Earth. Interspecies hybrid sterility is a postzygotic isolating mechanism that affects the development of hybrids, rendering them sterile. A notable trend, known as Haldane's Rule, describes that heterogametic individual (e.g. males in Drosophila) are more susceptible to sterility than homogametic …
Genetics Of Female Interspecific Mate Rejection In Species Of Drosophila, Ryan Calhoun
Genetics Of Female Interspecific Mate Rejection In Species Of Drosophila, Ryan Calhoun
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Speciation can occur when accumulated differences in mating behavior force diverging species to remain reproductively isolated from one another. A key determinant of behavioural isolation is the evolution of female mating preferences that prevent interspecific males from mating. However, no individual genes involved in species-specific preferences of females have yet been identified. Using various genetic mapping techniques available for studying strains and species of Drosophila, I identify candidate genes involved in D. simulans female discrimination against D. melanogaster males. One candidate gene in particular, Katanin-60, was selected for further characterization. Katanin-60 is a gene encoding a microtubule severing …
The Genetic Basis Of Cuticular Hydrocarbon Production In Drosophila Melanogaster And D. Simulans, Jessica A. Pardy
The Genetic Basis Of Cuticular Hydrocarbon Production In Drosophila Melanogaster And D. Simulans, Jessica A. Pardy
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Individuals within many species have evolved complex reproductive strategies to ensure they identify appropriate mates so as to increase their fitness. Chemical signals, which are often species- and sex-specific, are one means by which many insect species communicate. Differences in cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) profiles can influence reproductive isolation in Drosophila. A previous study identified large genomic regions that contain genes responsible for the different CHC profiles observed in D. melanogaster and D. simulans females. I refined these earlier results by utilizing fine-scale mapping, focusing on the entire CHC profile, in an effort to determine which genes are responsible for …
Evaluating The Rapid Divergence Of Male Genitalia In Sibling Drosophila Species, Helene M. Levasseur-Viens
Evaluating The Rapid Divergence Of Male Genitalia In Sibling Drosophila Species, Helene M. Levasseur-Viens
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
The rapid divergence of male genitalia in a variety of animal groups is a well documented phenomenon for which there exists no universal explanation. The three prevalent hypotheses for the divergence of genitalia, the lock and key, pleiotropy and sexual selection, have all been tested in individual model organisms, but never have individual experiments been performed in one species pair to allow for direct comparison. Drosophila simulans and D. mauritiana have long been thought to be an example of the sensory lock and key model, but no concrete data has ever been presented to verify the validity of the model. …