Molecular Genetics of the Olfactory System

基因研究可以揭示行为背后的生物学机制。特别的成功来自于使用果蝇作为一个拥有经过充分研究的基因组的模型系统。已经分离出几个影响嗅觉系统的突变菌株。最近发现了一种名为“DARE”的突变体，因为这些苍蝇“在避免驱避方面存在缺陷”。现在已经知道，突变基因存在于一种酶中，该酶参与了将胆固醇转化为某些类固醇激素的关键步骤。这个项目使用分子遗传学技术来研究发育缺陷变化如何导致嗅觉行为缺陷，因为昆虫的变态依赖于一种名为蜕皮类固醇的化合物，或者蜕皮类固醇激素是否对嗅觉功能有更直接的影响。操纵基因本身，研究DARE基因的空间和时间表达，将显示该基因参与激素生物合成可能如何影响成年嗅觉功能。研究结果将超越嗅觉科学，包括发育和神经内分泌学对发育过程中基因相互作用的理解，以及激素在神经系统功能和行为中的作用。

Genetic studies can reveal biological mechanisms that underlie behavior. Particular success has come from using the fruitfly, Drosophila, as a model system with a well-studied genome. Several mutant strains have been isolated that affect the olfactory system. A recent discovery has been of the mutant called 'dare', because these flies are 'defective in avoidance of repellents.' It is now known that the mutant gene is in an enzyme involved in a crucial step in converting cholesterol to certain steroid hormones. This project uses molecular genetic techniques to examine how the olfactory behavioral deficits might result from defective developmental changes, since insect metamorphosis depends on a class of compounds called ecdysteroids, or whether there is a more direct effect of ecdysteroid hormones on olfactory function. Manipulation of the gene itself, and study of spatial and temporal expression of the dare gene will show how the involvement of this gene in hormone biosynthesis may affect adult olfactory function. Results will be important beyond olfactory sensory science, to include developmental and neuroendocrinological understanding of the interplay of genes during development, and the role of hormones in nervous system function and behavior.