Molecular Genetic Analysis of Neuropeptide Function

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Neuropeptides are signals that are released by nerve cells to transmit information to other nerve cells and to other cells in the body, like muscle, glands and skin. Very often within a single neuron, neuropeptides are released along with specific neurotransmitters and modulate their subsequent action. Indeed, the nervous system is designed to received and transmit information and neuropeptides are central to those basic processes. While it is estimated that 100's of neuropeptides are made by nerve cells, only 1% of all nerve cells express a given neuropeptide gene. Dr. Taghert will use an innovative molecular genetic approach to examine the fundamental mechanisms underlying the expression and release of neuropeptides. He will create and recover loss-of-function mutations in a specific gene for a precursor protein that encodes 13 related neuropeptides. By studying individuals that are chronically deficient in the production of these molecules, Dr. Taghert will determine function and whether other neuropeptides share overlapping roles. In addition, he has developed methodology to put genes back and thus, will assess the specific capacity of subsets of encoded neuropeptides to restore lost functions. These experiments will lead to a better understanding of the roles played by the neuropeptide gene in individual neurons. Since Drosophila is used as the model system, demonstrating the lethal nature of mutations in the neuropeptide encoding gene may help stimulate research into insecticides that act by inhibiting neuropeptide synthesis or neuropeptide stimulated neurotransmission.