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Full-Text Articles in Neuroscience and Neurobiology
Recovery From Social Isolation In Drosophila: The Role Of Dopamine And The Autism-Related Gene Nlg3., Ryley T. Yost
Recovery From Social Isolation In Drosophila: The Role Of Dopamine And The Autism-Related Gene Nlg3., Ryley T. Yost
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Within a group, individuals establish their preferred distance from each other, or social space, a form of social behaviour. The resulting distance depends on the exchange of social cues from others that needs to be perceived and integrated within the organism’s neural circuitry. In humans, social spacing can be impaired in neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism and schizophrenia. When organisms are subject to social isolation, profound changes in social behaviour are observed in a variety of species from insects to mammals, including social space. However, the genetic and molecular mechanisms modulating a behavioural response to isolation and possible recovery remain …
The Role Of The Leucine-Rich (Leur) Domain Of Rho Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor (Rgnef) In The Regulation Of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Als) Associated Protein Tar Dna-Binding Protein Of 43 Kda (Tdp-43), Hind Amzil
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
The presence of neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions (NCIs) composed of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and neurofilaments is considered to be ALS’s neuropathological hallmark. RGNEF has been previously shown to interact with TDP-43 and to have a regulatory effect on the expression levels of NEFL mRNA and NFL protein in vitro. Here, I examined the mechanism of the RGNEF N-terminus, leucine-rich domain (LeuR) domain’s interaction with TDP-43. I observed that the minimal domain required is 110 amino acids (LeuR110), that the Ankyrin domain adjacent to LeuR110 does not participate, and that LeuR110 forms of a high molecular weight complex with TDP-43 in …
The Role Of Histone Demethylases In Learning And Memory In The Mushroom Body Of Drosophila Melanogaster, Crystal Keung
The Role Of Histone Demethylases In Learning And Memory In The Mushroom Body Of Drosophila Melanogaster, Crystal Keung
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Intellectual disability (ID) is a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with many epigenetic regulators and chromatin modifying enzymes like histone lysine methyltransferases (KMTs) and demethylases (KDMs). Here, I systematically investigate the role of 7 KDMs: Su(var)3-3, KDM2, Lid, CG2982, UTX, KDM4B, JHDM2, and 1 KMT: trr in the context of learning and memory using Drosophila melanogaster. Genetic knockdown of each gene in the mushroom body (MB) of flies are tested for short- and long-term memory impairment using courtship conditioning. Knockdown of 6 KDMs and trr resulted in memory loss. MB morphology was analyzed to determine potential cause of memory loss. …
The Role Of H3k4 Methyltransferases In Drosophila Memory, Nicholas Raun
The Role Of H3k4 Methyltransferases In Drosophila Memory, Nicholas Raun
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Gene transcription required for long-term memory requires the modification of histones. However, there are still many uncertainties about the identity and spatial expression of genes regulated by histone modifications during memory related processes. In this project I examined the role of Drosophila melanogaster methyltransferases Set1 and trx in courtship memory. Genetic knockdown of Set1 and trx in the mushroom body (MB) revealed that Set1 was necessary for short- and long-term memory, while trx was only required for long-term memory. Transcriptional profiling of MBs following trx-knockdown revealed expression changes in MB-enriched genes and genes involved in RNA processing. Among the …
Role Of The Swi/Snf Chromatin Remodelling Complex In The Axon Development Of The Drosophila Mushroom Body, Melissa C. Chubak
Role Of The Swi/Snf Chromatin Remodelling Complex In The Axon Development Of The Drosophila Mushroom Body, Melissa C. Chubak
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
The SWI/SNF complex is an evolutionarily conserved ATP-dependent chromatin remodelling complex that has been implicated in the aetiology of intellectual disability (ID). Among the dominant ID genes, the SWI/SNF complex is the most highly enriched protein complex. However, its role in the nervous system is not yet understood. I systematically investigated the role of this complex in the development of the Drosophila mushroom body (MB), a complex brain structure required for learning and memory. Gross MB morphology was assessed using confocal microscopy to identify morphological defects following RNAi-mediated knockdown of the 15 individual SWI/SNF genes in the MB. Knockdown of …
Tracking Behavioural And Neuronal Responses To Social Pheromones: Insights From A Drosophila Model, Justin R. Croft
Tracking Behavioural And Neuronal Responses To Social Pheromones: Insights From A Drosophila Model, Justin R. Croft
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
If eusociality evolved through modification of pre-social mechanisms for regulating personal reproduction, then even insects like Drosophila may be vulnerable to latent effects of 'queen' pheromone. Here, I test if male fruit flies respond to a eusocial queen bee pheromone. I found that male flies were attracted to queen bee pheromone, and pheromone-treated males raised the intensity of their courting towards conspecific females. These novel observations from Drosophila suggest that male flies have the capacity to respond to queen pheromone in a manner that is comparable to the native response from male (drone) bees. I therefore optimized a nuclear factor …
The Effect Of Age On Social Behaviour In Drosophila Melanogaster And The Progeny Of Aged Parents, Dova Brenman
The Effect Of Age On Social Behaviour In Drosophila Melanogaster And The Progeny Of Aged Parents, Dova Brenman
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Recent studies have linked neuropsychiatric disorders to older parents. These disorders often include changes in social behaviours like the social spacing between neighbouring individuals, which can be modeled in organisms such as Drosophila melanogaster. I investigated the effects of aging on the social space between neighbouring D. melanogaster and how aging impacts the next generation. To achieve this, I used the social space assay and found that individuals become less social with age and that this effect is passed on to the first generation only. Additionally, accelerating the physiological process of aging via increased rearing temperatures or exposure to …