Role of Clock Proteins PERIOD and TIMELESS on the Activity of the Drosophila Prothoracic Gland

这个少数启动补助金是关于生物钟功能的机制。 行为的周期性定时通常由细胞活动调节，细胞活动被认为是生物钟。 最近的工作已经确定了一些蛋白质作为计时机制的组成部分被释放，但仍不清楚这些蛋白质如何对其他靶细胞发挥作用。 该项目使用从果蝇中分离的培养组织系统，该系统允许对生理机制进行强大的遗传分析。 生化分析用于确定该组织蛋白质分泌和激素分泌的时间。 结果将显示时钟基因表达的分子节律如何导致定时行为模式。 这项独立的研究遵循NSF博士后的支持，并将对PI的职业生涯产生重大影响。 这项工作也可能对神经科学和内分泌学产生影响，进一步了解大脑和激素分泌之间的细胞机制。

This Minority Starter Grant is on mechanisms underlying the function of biological clocks. Periodic timing of behavior is often regulated by cellular activity that is considered to act as a biological clock. Recent work has identified some of the proteins that are released as components of the timing mechanism, but it remains unclear how these proteins exert their effects on target cells elsewhere. This project uses a system of cultured tissue isolated from the fruitfly, Drosophila, which allows the potential for powerful genetic analysis of physiological mechanisms. Biochemical analyses are used to identify the timing of protein secretions and hormone secretions from this tissue. Results will show how molecular rhythms of clock gene expression can result in timed behavior patterns. This independent research follows NSF postdoctoral support, and will have a high impact on giving the PI a significant early boost to her career. This work also is likely to have an impact on both neuroscience and endocrinology in further understanding the cellular mechanisms that link brain and hormonal secretions.