Control of Drosophila (Fruit Fly) neural development and sexual behavior by the retained gene

行为、基因、神经元和神经功能之间的关系是许多人感兴趣的。对这些相互联系的分析涉及选择一个可以在多个层面上进行研究的系统。这些行为必须足够复杂，既要有趣，又要足够简单，才能在神经和基因层面上取得进展。行为系统必须有重要的遗传成分，生物体必须易于处理，以进行古典和现代的遗传和分子遗传分析。果蝇的求偶和交配行为就是这样一个系统。男性和女性有不同的性行为，有明确的求爱仪式，既有固定的行为模式，也有基于个体之间互动的差异。此外，适当的行为包括视觉、听觉和嗅觉信息的输入和适当的处理。性别分化和行为受基因控制。调控级联中的上游基因被很好地描述了。这个项目的重点是保留基因在控制行为和神经发育中的作用。类保留基因存在于脊椎动物中。缺乏保留功能的雌性抵抗正常的雄性求爱，并产生与其他雌性类似的求爱。男性的行为是正常的。在大脑中的少量神经、中枢神经系统的胸腹部以及眼睛的光感受器中都有表达。在突变动物中，保留表达的神经的投射模式发生了变化。这些研究的结果将确定保留表达的神经系统的哪些部分对行为的各个方面做出贡献，从而绘制涉及这些行为和子行为的神经和大脑内的连接，并将确定保留表达的神经系统和其他涉及性行为和分化的基因之间的调节和神经元联系。这为该行为和其他行为的生成提供了有关复杂性的关键信息。该项目与领导力联盟(一个面向代表不足的学生的全国性研究机会计划)合作，将新学生带入生物科学研究领域。

The relationship among behaviors, genes, neurons and neural function is of interest to many people. Analysis of these interconnections involves choosing a system amenable to study at multiple levels. The behaviors must be complicated enough to be interesting, but still simple enough that progress can be made at the level of nerves and genes. The behavioral system must have a significant genetic component, and the organism must be tractable for classical and modern genetic and molecular genetic analysis. Courtship and mating behavior in Drosophila is one such system. Males and females have distinct sets of sexual behaviors, with well-defined courtship rituals involving both set behavioral patterns and variations based on interactions between individuals. In addition, appropriate behavior involves input and appropriate processing of visual, auditory, and olfactory information. Sexual differentiation and behavior are under genetic control. The upstream genes in the regulatory cascade are well characterized. This project focuses on the role of the retained gene in the control of behavior and neural development. Retained-like genes are present in vertebrates. Females lacking retained function resist normal male courtship and generate male-like courtship of other females. Male behaviors are normal. Retained is expressed in small numbers of nerves in the brain and in the thoracic and abdominal portions of the central nervous system, as well as in the photoreceptors of the eyes. The projection pattern of retained-expressing nerves is altered in mutant animals. Results from these studies will determine which portions of the retained-expressing nervous system contribute to various aspects of behavior, thus mapping the nerves and the connections within the brain involved in these behaviors and sub-behaviors, and will determine the regulatory and neuronal linkages between retained and other genes involved in sexual behavior and differentiation. This renders critical information on complexity for generation of this and other behaviors. This project synergizes with the Leadership Alliance (a national research opportunity program for underrepresented students) to bring new students into biological science research area.